Nullah encroachers to be named and shamed: CM

Businessmen and builders who have constructed houses, apartment buildings, fuel stations and other such structures by encroaching on stormwater drains will soon be publicly named and shamed, warned Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

Talking to the media after visiting various districts of the city to review rain-related measures, the CM said that he had directed the local government department to prepare a list of those responsible for such encroachments, vowing to make their names public.

“Because of their illegal constructions, the city’s entire water disposal system choked and flooded areas. They must be exposed for their enmity with Karachi,” he stated, adding that he had ordered the removal of such structures.

Nearing completion

Meanwhile, as the latest monsoon spell continues to lash the metropolis, the cleaning of drains continues in the city, with the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) reportedly having completed 95 per cent of its task of cleaning three major stormwater drains and lifting over 30,000 tonnes of sludge in the past four days.

According to a National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) spokesperson, the FWO had cleared 95 per cent of Gujjar nullah, 100 per cent of Korangi nullah and 90 per cent of Mowach Goth nullah by removing solid waste and plastic accumulated at choking points.

The spokesperson added that the FWO had cleared 40 blocked points out of a total of 42 hindering the flow of water in the three drains, further stating that the dredging and desilting process was scheduled to be completed by Friday evening.

The CM, meanwhile, appreciated the NDMA’s efforts and expressed the hope that similar support from the federal government would continue in the completion of development projects. “It is the responsibility of the federal government to extend a helping hand to the provinces when needed.”

He stated that he had found Sharae Faisal clear of rainwater on Friday morning despite continued rainfall through the night, adding that he was satisfied with the Sindh government’s performance during the ongoing monsoon spell.

While visiting the South, Central and Korangi districts, the CM gave orders to officials to rectify unsatisfactory situations, such as telling the health secretary to prevent the Skin Hospital from disposing of hospital waste in Regal Chowk nullah. He also ordered the South deputy commissioner to have the area near the police headquarters in Garden, where sewers were overflowing, cleaned immediately.

Removing waste

Separately, at a meeting to discuss the cleaning of drains and removal of animal offal following Eidul Azha, the CM was briefed about the lifting of waste from 36 large nullahs and 18 connecting drains, as well as 63,000 tonnes of offal.

Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani also informed the CM that preemptive measures had prevented rainwater from crossing the M-9, keeping Saadi Town and the grid station safe.

He added that dewatering machines had been installed to clear choking points at Safoora, Safari Park, Nagan Chowrangi and KDA Chowrangi, while Malir Lath Dam did not overflow. Moreover, he claimed, Hub River Road had been choked but was later cleared, along with areas in Surjani Town, Yousuf Goth and around Wazir Mansion.

Informing the meeting about the removal of animal offal and carcasses, Sindh Solid Waste Management Board managing director Kashif Gulzar Shaikh said that approximately 2.4 million cattle were slaughtered in the city on Eidul Azha and subsequently, 63,000 tonnes of offal were disposed of at designated burial points.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2020.