Karachiites in for price shock as KWSC set to hike bowser charges

The decision has been taken at a time when many residents are already paying several times the officially notified tanker rates to obtain water. Senior officials confirmed that a committee has been constituted to review the existing tanker tariff structure and recommend revised rates before the next round of hydrant contracts are awarded. The tanker operators claim that due to increase in diesel prices the current tariff structure has become commercially unviable, the sources added. Confirming the development, Hydrants Cell In-charge and Superintending Engineer Ayaz Tunio said: “The rates approved previously no longer correspond to current diesel prices. Tanker operators are unwilling to supply water at those rates and their position is justified under the prevailing cost structure,” he said. “A committee has been formed to prepare recommendations on revised rates and submit them to the high ups for final approval.” Sources said the committee is expected to examine the impact of fuel costs and transportation expenses on tanker operations before finalising recommendations. The officials indicated that tanker charges may witness a substantial increase once the review process is completed. Current tariff structure Under the current tariff structure, a 1,000-gallon General Public Supply (GPS) tanker is priced at Rs1,560, while a commercial tanker of the same capacity costs Rs3,120. Similarly, under the existing tariff struct