ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Friday shut down several tubewells that were installed on greenbelts along the eastern side of Islamabad Expressway.
The civic agency also stopped ongoing work on the installation of 10 new tubewells by Wasa Rawalpindi.
CDA officials claimed that besides Wasa at least three tubewells were operated by private individuals, who were allegedly involved in water tanker business.
In addition, a tubewell along Japan Road was closed by the capital administration, which triggered water shortage in the area.
However, CDA’s water wing stated that the tubewell on Japan Road was not on its list and might have been shut down due to misunderstanding, and it will be restored soon.
“Our operation is meant to get stopped water extraction by Wasa from Islamabad’s limits as residents of the capital are already facing shortage of water,” an official said.
“On Friday, we conducted an operation on eastern side of expressway facing Ghouri Town and in next few days we will conduct another operation towards Rawalpindi side as a number of tubewells are also installed over there,” the official said.
It is relevant to note that both Islamabad and Rawalpindi are water scarcity-hit cities and instead of closing down tubewells in the summer season the CDA should resolve the matter amicably in consultation with Wasa Rawalpindi.
“We are facing shortage of water, as CDA closed down a tubewell, which was supplying water to us. Closing down tubewells is not a solution, rather both authorities should talk and resolve this issue,” said Mohsin Hussain, a resident of Rawalpindi. He, however, said: “There should be no relaxations for private tanker mafia for water extraction,” he said. –Agencies
