Poor sewerage plagues commercial activities in DG Khan

Over last two months, lines in main markets have choked and disrupted routine life

DERA GHAZI KHAN: Sewerage problems have exploded in the district of Dera Ghazi Khan. Over the last two months, sewerage lines have choked main markets and disrupted businesses, along with routine life, in the area.

On the call of DG Khan’s Anjuman-e-Tajran, traders are protesting over the accumulation of filthy sewerage water in the said markets. Citizens and traders have persistently resorted to protests against the issue, but to no avail.

Scores of demonstrators from the Anjuman-e-Tajran, led by City Secretary-General Javed Ishaq Mastoi and President Jan Alam Khan Leghari, protested in front of the main gate of the Municipal Corporation.

The sewage water is not only spreading an odour in the market, but also causing severe mental stress to the traders. Reportedly, a lot of customers are also avoiding the market.

DG Khan Municipal Corporation Administrator Mudassir Riaz Malik said that those who are polluting the city by placing sandbags in sewerage lines on the occasion of Muharram should be exposed.

The administrator stated this while reviewing conditions arising due to the blockage. He visited Shah Sikandar Road, Imambargah Haideria, Imambargah Rizvia and several important areas and markets and directed the municipal corporation authorities to tackle the situation.

Municipal Corporation Chief Officer Malik Iqbal Fareed, Deputy Commissioner Waqas Rasheed and several other officers were present.

During the visit, sandbags used to block the sewerage at various points were shown to the administrator. Locals present at the scene shared that the staff of the Municipal Corporation and a few vandal elements were responsible for the negligence.

The administrator added that authorities should expose such individuals and take strict action those responsible for the issue. He further said that police and several institutions have been directed to tackle the situation.

He also announced a Rs 50,000 reward for identifying wrongdoers. An official of the Municipal Corporation, requesting anonymity, told The Express Tribune that the administration is making every possible effort to resolve the sewerage issue permanently.  “Soon, with the available funds of Rs2.7 billion, work on sewerage lines will begin and be completed on an urgent basis."

The official appealed to market traders and citizens to cooperate with staff of the corporation to resolve the cleanliness issue and several concerns of the city. “We need the support of the citizens as the municipal corporation has a very small workforce. The minimum requirement is 600 employees, but only 200 are available for work. Similarly, machinery is very little compared to the requirement.”

The administrator also issued special directions to Municipal Corporation officials and staff to resolve the cleanliness and sewerage issue on Muharram procession routes on an urgent basis.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2019.