VOICED : The water mafias that suck Karachi dry

Karachi faces severe water supply challenges due to its rapid population growth, which has led to a reliance on water tankers often controlled by local gangs. The disparity between supply and demand has resulted in the emergence of tanker mafias. Efforts to shut down illegal hydrants have been made, but water shortages persist, exacerbated by a lack of infrastructure and costly desalination options. The future remains bleak as the city's population continues to grow, making water affordability a struggle for many residents.

What is the main reason residents like Muhammad and Nila have to rely on local gangs for water?

• They have an abundance of water supply.

• They prefer the taste of tanker water.

• The neighborhood is not connected to the city's pipelines.

• The water is provided for free by the Water authority.

How much does it typically cost residents to buy water from tankers?

• ₹3000 to ₹3500

• ₹500 to ₹800

• ₹1000 to ₹1500

• ₹2000 to ₹2500

What has contributed to the rise of tanker mafias in Karachi?

• An abundance of water supply

• The disparity between water supply and demand

• Government subsidies for water

• A decrease in population

What action has been taken against illegal hydrants in Karachi?

• Security forces have shut down many of them.

• They have been expanded.

• They have been ignored.

• They have been legalized.

What are the challenges faced by Karachi in ensuring a stable water supply?

• Abundant groundwater supply

• Costly desalination of the Arabian Sea

• Excessive rainfall

• Decreasing population