Government’s negligence: Faulty drainage system irks Sargodha residents

Ineffective vacuum is alleged to have caused sewerage overflow

SARGODHA: An inadequate and faulty drainage system in different areas of Sargodha has made the lives of citizens difficult and they have appealed to the authorities concerned to adopt a strategy to resolve the issue immediately.

Residents of Bismillah Homes, Muradabad, Khayaban-e-Asad, Farooq Colony, Cheema Colony, Shamsher Town, Sultan Colony, Johar Colony, Model Town, Garden Town, Zafar Colony, Old City Blocks and Kalyar Town have endured the stench from overflowing sewage believed to be caused by an ineffective vacuum of sewerage system.

As a result of the failure of this system, sewerage has accumulated in majority of the houses in addition to foul smell. A resident of Mumtaz Park, Shahzad Anjum, said streets in the area look like a dirty pond as the whole sewerage system of the area was blocked and it caused sewers to overflow in streets.

He added, “Sewerage water is causing health hazards for children and they are rife with mosquito larvae.”

Meanwhile, Tehsil Municipal Officer Rana Jamil said, “A mega project for replacing the city's sewerage system has been approved which will be completed with an estimated cost of Rs1.20 billion within three years.”

He maintained the PC-I for the project had been formulated. He said the sewerage schemes had been divided into three phases. “In the first phase small disposal pumps would be installed at Ambala College Road, Iqbal Colony, Eidgah Road and Muhammadi Colony worth Rs150 million from where the sewerage water will be drained through a nullah,” he pointed out.

Rana Jamil pointed out in the second phase, work will commence at Jinnah Colony and Silanwali disposal system will be rehabilitated. The TMO said in the third phase the sewerage system of New Satellite Town would be replaced.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2016.