Neglected for years: Bahawalpur’s largest slum wading in its own filth

Residents say area lacks clean drinking water and schools for girls

BAHAWALPUR: Roads may have graced Tiba Badar Sher in recent times, but garbage and sewage water line the streets of Bahawalpur’s largest slum, which is also devoid of clean drinking water and gas, among other basic amenities.

The government released some funds for the area’s uplift, but the funds were only used to build roads in the katchi abadi.

Residents said they are in desperate need of clean drinking water, Sui Gas, a dispensary and girls’ school etc.

While speaking to The Express Tribune, Noor Muhammad said thousands of people live in Tiba Badar Sher, but still the area lacks basic facilities.” “Heaps of garbage have made our lives miserable while there are no gas connections.”



Another resident, Abdul Jabbar, said filthy water could be seen accumulated on the streets and was spreading disease in the area.

Similarly, Karim Baksh and Allah Wasaya, who had been residing in the slum for years, told The Express Tribune that the area lacks a medical clinic and dispensary. He added people are compelled to travel long distances to get treatment.

“There is no arrangement to provide higher education to girls in the katchi abadi,” said Manzoor Ahmad, another resident. “If a high school or secondary school could be established in the area, the girls could get better education.”

Muhammad Afzal, a resident of the katchi abadi, said faulty sewerage lines cause filthy water to accumulate on the streets and flood homes.

Elahi Baksh told The Express Tribune that clean drinking water is not available to the people. He maintained water filtration plants should be installed in for the provision of clean drinking water.



The residents of Badar Sher Katchi Abadi demanded that the chief minister, Bahawalpur commissioner and DCO to provide basic facilities to the people and take measures to develop the area. They also urged authorities concerned to improve the sewerage system in the slum.

Meanwhile, a district government official, requesting anonymity, told The Express Tribune that funds were provided, but they were spent on uplift projects and other sectors in the city as it was a priority of the government.”

He claimed some funds are utilised to carry out work in the area and they have also written to Punjab government about the installation of water filtration plant and improving the sewerage system. “As soon as funds are released, filtration plants will be installed,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2018.