Sindh CM orders construction of drains in katchi abadis

Reprimands negligent municipal officers, KWSB employees

KARACHI: Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah directed Local Government Minister Jam Khan Shoro to construct storm water drains in katchi abadis in order to save the people living in such localities from the misery they experience after rains.

The CM issued these directives while presiding over a meeting on Tuesday to review the post-rain situation in Karachi. The meeting was attended by Shoro, Population Minister Mumtaz Jakhrani, Information Minister Nasir Shah, Chief Secretary Rizwan Memon, Principal Secretary to CM Sohail Rajput, Local Government Secretary Ramzan Awan, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) Managing Director (MD) Hashim Raza Zaidi, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh Director-General (DG) Salman Shah, all deputy commissioners of Karachi division and other officers.

The CM told the meeting that he had received reports that most of the elected representatives of district municipal corporations (DMCs) and other relevant staff did not bother to participate in the efforts to clear rainwater accumulated on roads and streets. He directed the local government minister to engage municipal commissioners and deputy commissioners in such cases and take action against negligent officers.



"I want the city clean," he said.

Shoro briefed the CM about the visits he made along with other ministers to oversee the drainage work in different parts of the city on the first and second days of the heavy rain.

The local government minister also pointed towards mischievous elements that deliberately blocked the drains to defame the provincial government. Shoro informed the meeting that some people filled gutters in Yousuf Goth, District West so that water could not be drained. Resultantly, the locality submerged in rainwater and the residents had to be shifted to another location. The CM directed Shoro and the District West deputy commissioner to register an FIR so that the culprits may be arrested who created problems for the people because of their sinister motives.

The meeting was also informed about the plight of the residents of Lath Basti in District Malir where sea water intruded because of high tides during heavy rains. The CM directed the irrigation department to construct a retaining wall at Lath Basti.



District Korangi Deputy Commissioner Mehdi Shah told the CM that the area of Cattle Colony has low lying terrains where rainwater has accumulated. Apart from this, the colony has no proper drainage system. On this, the CM directed the local government minister to send a team to survey the area and then start construction of a drainage system. "I will provide you with additional funds for [its] construction," the CM said.

Shoro further told the meeting that Lyari is the lowest area in the city where the water board has installed 11 pumping stations. The rainwater was drained in Lyari within a few hours, the local government minister claimed.

Murad observed that after rains, water remains accumulated in various katchi abadis for several weeks, which serves as a breeding place for mosquitos. "Why don't you make proper arrangements to clear water [in katchi abadis]," he asked Shoro, who replied that he has created a separate division in the KWSB for katchi abadis.



The CM also questioned the performance of 14,000 employees of KWSB and asked the MD why they failed to deliver. "I want those employees who own this city and believe in serving the people and organisation from where they are earning bread and butter for their children," he said, adding that there was no space for deadwoods in his government.

The meeting was also told that a breach had developed in Thaddo Dam causing the water to enter into Saadi Town. The CM directed the irrigation department to inspect and repair Thaddo Dam.

The population minister told the CM that he was in touch with the mayor and deputy mayor and his ministry dispatched food and water for the affected people.