Worsening civic conditions

The existing situation has exposed the hollowness of the promises made by Sind govt before Eidul Azha

Over the years, the state of cleanliness in Karachi has been worsening, and going by the present state of affairs nobody knows where the deterioration would stop. Fortunately, Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken notice of the worsening civic conditions and deployed the National Disaster Management Authority for desilting choked stormwater drains that cause havoc particularly after rains. So far 25 choked points of three major nullahs, out of a total of 40 such points hindering smooth flow of rainwater, have been cleared. Gujjar nullah, Korangi nullah and Mowach Goth nullah — the three major stormwater drains — have been cleared between 40% and 50%. Aound 66,000 tonnes of garbage have been removed from nullahs. Also, the drainage system in Lyari, like in the entire city, has nearly completely collapsed. Gutter overflows are there in the whole area endangering human health and hindering movement of people.

Meanwhile, the Sindh government and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation have once again proven themselves incapable of removing the offal of sacrificial animals even after several days of Eidul Azha. Offal have been left unattended beside roads and streets spreading unbearable stench. Conditions in many localities are so bad that residents have complained that they are finding it difficult even to breathe. As a fresh spell of heavy rains is expected to start from Thursday, the uncleared remains of animals are feared to cause havoc in the city. The existing situation has exposed the hollowness of the promises made by the provincial government before Eidul Azha that offal would be removed promptly. Physicians have warned that if animal remains are left uncleared, this might lead to the outbreak of epidemic diseases.

While politicians continue to promise that things will improve soon, the civic deterioration only goes on worsening.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 7^th, 2020.

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