Demanding uplift: The old and the ailing

The oldest katchi basti in Islamabad has deteriorated since it was made in 1978.


Rustam Ejaz July 16, 2011

ISLAMABAD:


Residents of the oldest katchi basti in G-7/2 do not have access to basic necessities such as a dispensary, protection wall along drains and a sewage system.


People at the basti told The Express Tribune that it was established in 1978 and is the oldest of all 10 katchi bastis in Islamabad.

At the time of its establishment, the basti had 66 houses; the number has now swollen up to 570 houses but the condition of the area has deteriorated with time.

Local residents said water during monsoon in the storm drain near the slum damages property and valuables during rainy season. They added several people have drowned in the drain, which could have been prevented through a protection wall.

Most of the houses have been set up with plastic sheets, which is not a durable arrangement. During monsoon season, these houses are liable to collapse and cause injuries.

There is no sewage system in the area and rain water has water entered into houses.

The narrow and un-bricked streets in the area, add to problems of the residents. Heaps of garbage and encroachments dumped at different places in the area are causing several diseases.

Water flow in the drains near the basti has increased during monsoon and water also has blocked the sewage in the area.

They added, the drain water had also mixed with tube wells and tap water, which caused several diseases. They appealed the concerned authority to build protection walls on both sides of drain to avoid accidents.

They said absence of filtration plants at the basti are compelling residents to drink contaminated water or bring water from surrounding areas. They accused Capital Development Authority of discrimination, saying filtration plants have been installed in the vicinity but there were none in the basti. They said, bringing drinking water from other areas is inconvenient and they have to wait several hours for their turn.

Moreover, they said that there is no government dispensary in the area and people are compelled to visit private clinics. The private clinics charge exorbitant rates for their treatment. They demanded a dispensary to be set up like the one that has been set in the katchi basti of G-8.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2011.

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