SHC issues notice to KMC administrator for non-compliance

The official had been directed to clear encroachments from storm water drains.

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notice to the administrator of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) for the second time to explain why the court's directives to clear  storm water drains from illegal encroachments have not been complied with.

Headed by Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, the bench directed the KMC administrator to furnish his explanation by September 12. The bench was hearing a petition, filed by civil rights campaigner, Rana Faizul Hasan, who had sought removal of encroachments and cleaning of drains for the monsoon season.

The petitioner said that several drains, rivers and sewer lines had either been encroached upon or closed down. He alleged that the KMC authorities did not bother to remove the encroachments erected unlawfully.

Hassan informed the court that these illegal constructions were erected on the lands of Malir River, Gujjar Nullah and Songal Nullah, which carried domestic and industrial waste from different areas, including Abul Hassan Isphahani Road, Sindh Secretariat, Orangi, Defence View, SITE, Ibn-e-Sina Road, Urdu Bazaar and Manzoor Colony. Owning to these encroachments and choking of drains, the rainwater paralysed life in the city and damaged its infrastructure every year, he said.

On Monday, the petitioner told the two judges that the court had on August 23, 2013, directed the KMC authorities to remove encroachments from all the drains and submit a compliance report. But, the court's order has not been complied with yet.

Hasan apprehended that the monsoon rains expected to start in the city in the coming days could wreak havoc on the infrastructure as well as the residents and pleaded the court to direct the authorities to implement the orders in letter and spirit.

After the preliminary hearing, the bench issued notice to the KMC administrator and others to file their comments. The hearing was adjourned till September 12.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2014.