Water tankers culprits in road accidents
Karachi's artificial water crisis has been the talk of the town since years. With an expanding urban population and a limited availability of water, more and more citizens are forced to buy their rightful share of water from tankers. However, what came as a solution to the water crisis has become a crisis of its own, as speeding water tankers continue to claim lives.
One such tragic incident was the Malir Halt accident, where a water tanker driver lost control of the vehicle which drifted onto the opposite road, hitting a motorcycle, The accident claimed the lives of a man and his pregnant wife. The baby, who was born later, could not survive either. Apart from this family, another motorcyclist was also injured in the accident. According to sources of The Express Tribune, during the past four months, 24 people have lost their lives in road accidents involving a water tanker.
Mohsin Raza, General Secretary of the People's Labour Union of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), made serious allegations against the top officials of the KWSC for instigating an artificial water crisis in the city. "Due to the high demand for water, a water tanker driver works for about 24 hours a day, for a commission of Rs400 to Rs500 per trip, which lures the driver to try to take more trips. A driver makes 5 to 7 trips daily. All these issues are a clear violation of labour laws and are the main reason why drivers lose concentration and accidents occur. If the Water Corporation mends its ways, improves valve operation and the system of the drains, the artificial water crisis in the city will end, tanker trips will be reduced and traffic accidents will also be controlled," claimed Raza.
Regional Planner Dr Syed Nawaz Al-Hadi opined that if good governance was established in the city, then the water crisis could be resolved. "The Sindh government should take strict action against corrupt officials in the Water Corporation. Nowhere in the world and even in Pakistan, would you find water tankers operating under a regular industrial system. Therefore, tankers should be immediately eliminated from Karachi and citizens should be given water through the lines," said Dr Al-Huda.
Syed Sardar Shah, in-charge of the Hydrants Cell of the Water Corporation, affirmed that they were taking vigorous steps to further improve the water supply and drainage system across the city. "Legal action is being taken by the police against the driver involved in the Malir Halt accident, while the tanker owners have also paid diyat (compensation money) to the affected family after the accident. We do not expect any driver to drive tankers for 24 hours. The driver involved in the Malir Halt accident was a private driver," said Shah.
National Trade Union Federation General Secretary Nasir Mansoor claimed that under labour laws, no worker can be compelled to work more than 8 hours. "Two hours of overtime is acceptable with the permission of the employees, but it will have to be paid in full," said Mansoor.
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