JEDDAH, 5 January 2004 — The incessant stream of full and empty water tankers using Jeddah’s Aziziya water distribution terminal is causing serious damage to the surrounding roads and creating major traffic congestion.
Over an observed period of 30 minutes in the late morning, a full vehicle left the depot on average every 12 seconds. The trucks, some weighing more than 30 tons, have caused potholes, ruts and damage to the metal safety barrier between the road and the deep concrete drainage ditch that runs beside the depot.
As the lorries turn from the depot onto the main link road to Abdul Aziz Street, they have worn off the road surface and, during rush hours, also create long queues of traffic. The road has potholes and broken curbstones, some of which litter the road surface as an extra driving hazard.
Adding to the confusion, there is a lively roadside market for fresh water on the main road. Groups of energetic and persistent drivers pounce on any vehicle that slows down, offering competitively priced truckloads of water for delivery.
The state of the depot exit road has become so bad that occasionally drivers use the sidewalk with a view to preserving their suspension. Downtime for repair is lost income.
“We have to do this job,” said Ravi Chandra, a Sri Lankan driver. “People need the water. The municipality hasn’t done much to look after the road. What can we drivers do? No trucks, no water.”
Local residents and drivers have complained bitterly, but there has been no visible effort to improve the roads. The water delivery trucks perform an essential service for domestic and commercial properties — and until recently a major Jeddah hospital — without piped water.
“People get angry with us truck drivers,” said Chandra. “What do they want us to do? They want the water but they don’t want us.”
