Holistic approach?

It seems that the work of cleaning stormwater drains, or nullahs, is being carried out on the spur of the moment after the recent torrential rains wreaked havoc in Karachi. Earlier, the nullahs were ‘cleaned’ a few months ago, which proved ineffectual. The rains caused unprecedented flooding in the city, and the authorities claimed it was caused due to choked nullahs as encroachments along the nullahs obstructed the flow of water. The authorities woke up from their Rip Van Winkle-like long slumber after much damage had been done, and the new phase of work was launched on Wednesday. It was mainly aimed at demolishing illegal structures along the Gujjar Nullah.

Before launching the anti-encroachment drive, the authorities gave area residents only hours to vacate their houses, shops and cattle pens. The authorities say these structures were built by encroaching on the nullah. Residents of Gulberg, however, claim they have lease documents for these structures, with many saying they have been living there for as long as 40 years. After residents saw the dreaded bulldozers, some of them began taking their belongings out of their homes while a large number protested against the drive fearing homelessness. The KMC staffers thought it proper to adopt a go-slow approach. The operation was suspended after only few structures were removed. A similar approach was adopted in the other two areas. KMC officials said several anti-encroachment campaigns had been launched in the past too, but after some time illegal structures reappeared. One may well ask who allowed them to reappear time and again. As regards the fear of homelessness, officials said they would not leave any one without a roof over their heads.

The problem of encroachments needs a holistic approach. It does not involve reinventing the wheel. Further, as long as garbage is not cleared on a regular basis, the issue of choked drains and gutters will persist. The authorities appear to have assumed that, so much time; so little to do.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2020.

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