It now seems that the city fathers have come up with a novel idea to spruce the city up and keep it clean. The ‘adopt-a-footpath’ initiative is useful as it will help keep sidewalks clean and make private groups and individuals responsible for maintaining and repairing them as well as beautifying and adding colour to the area.
The response from businessmen has been encouraging. Already several companies are fulfilling their corporate social responsibility obligations and helping out in charitable schemes. This scheme will add a whole new dimension as those participating will be contributing to the greater good of the city.
Self-help is the best help and to expect others to clean up our mess does not help much and with limited manpower and financial constraints of the city administration. This is a very feasible option. Karachiites must take responsibility of their own, and major companies must come forward and participate in the scheme. Companies can advertise their ownership of the footpaths giving them advertising space at nominal rates. They can set up garbage bins on the footpath at certain distances enabling people to dump their trash in them instead of littering the footpaths.
Water and sanitation can be outsourced to private companies ensuring cleanliness and improving hygienic conditions. Street lights along footpaths must be installed and maintained and regular repairs undertaken so as to keep the area bright and safe.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2018.
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