SBCA to be held responsible for debris, construction material

Judicial commission wants province’s streets, footpaths cleared of rubble, encroachments


Our Correspondent April 08, 2018
The SC wants footpaths and roads to be cleared of construction material and construction-related debris.

HYDERABAD:  

Taking notice of the rampant problem of leaving construction material and debris on roads and footpaths, the judicial commission on water and sanitation has ordered an end to this practice. "From now onward, if it is noticed that construction material of any ongoing work is lying on footpaths or roads, [the director general of the] Sindh Building Control Authority will be held responsible and answerable," stated the commission's head, Justice (retd) Amir Hani Muslim in his order on Saturday.

He observed that the encroachment on roads and footpaths multiply agony of citizens. "... unless the debris or construction material is not removed or properly placed, no visible improvement can be made."

During the hearing, Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar told the commission that different government departments execute work by excavating the roads and footpaths but the debris is never removed nor is the rehabilitation done. "The roads of Karachi are littered with and encroached upon by debris, excavated [rubble] and construction materials," he complained.

Following his complaint, the commission directed the public utility providers and other government departments to remove the construction material and debris. "The executing agencies shall also be responsible for ensuring rehabilitation of the damaged parts of roads and footpaths within a week after completion of their work."

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The mayor also apprised the commission that the municipal staff cannot clean storm water drains unless the pipelines of different public utilities are not removed. The utility lines are laid either inside the storm water drains or are crossing the drains.

Acting on his plea, the commission issued notices to the Sindh Building Control Authority, K-Electric, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), Karachi Water and Sewerage Board and National Telecommunication Corporation. The companies have been asked to appear before the commission on April 10 to resolve the issue.

The mayor informed the commission that a consultant is also required to prepare a master plan for cleaning and restoration of the storm water drains that are choked by obstructions and encroachments. The judge deferred the order against the request until the next hearing when Chief Secretary Rizwan Memon and the planning and development chairperson will also be in attendance.

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The commission ordered the Sindh government to comply with its March 5 order for removal of Malir Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Shah from his post. "The K-IV project needs to be completed so that the agony of the residents of Karachi can be minimised. The DC has failed to take steps to facilitate the smooth execution of the project." The delayed completion will also increase the project's cost, the judge noted.

Vegetable market

The judge underscored the urgency of relocating the vegetable market in Hyderabad's Hali Road area to the new, larger vegetable market constructed near Halanaka, in the city's outskirts. "The shifting of the sabzi mandi [vegetable market] in fact is an absolute necessity now ... the area where it operates can never be improved unless the mandi is relocated," he observed, citing his recent visit to the place.

"What is more, fruit and vegetable market can't be allowed to operate in such an unhygienic place ... the entire sabzi mandi is stinking and operating in an unacceptable environment." Justice (retd) further ordered the Hyderabad Municipal Committee to use the land vacated after relocation of the old vegetable market as an amenity plot, barring it from allowing commercial activity in the place.

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The commission noted that the Sindh High Court had in December, 2016, ordered the relocation but the order was not complied with. The judge found the explanation of Hyderabad Market Committee Administrator Shaukat Ali Mastoi, justifying the delay in shifting the market, implausible. "He [Shaukat] has committed contempt of the said order."

However, the commission granted more time for the shifting after Agriculture Secretary Sajid Jamal Abro and Hyderabad Commissioner Saeed Ahmed Mangnejo informed it about other impediments in the project. The problems include rehabilitation of the market's infrastructure, which was allegedly damaged by flood displaced people in 2010, sorting out the multiple allotments and providing electricity and water connections to the market.

During the hearing, the acting director-general of the rural development department, Hussain Ahmed Mastoi, admitted that he is working on own pay scale basis while holding the charge of the DG. He also conceded that a notification for his removal, which was issued on April 3, was cancelled on April 5. The additional advocate-general, Sarwar Khan, assured the commission that he will be removed from the post and a reputable officer will be posted in his place.

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