Illegal encroachments are on the rise in the Khalabat township of Haripur, prompting the inevitable closure of storm drains in the area.
This has led to a complete paralysis of the drainage system, with irked citizens holding the Khalabat Municipal Committee (KMC) responsible for the crisis.
Several local inhabitants are of the view that the KMC authorities have given a free rein to encroachers by allegedly collecting a monthly roof and flat tax from them. They believe that the drainage system is completely choked due to the obstruction of rain gutters.
The citizens have demanded that the drains be opened immediately so that the sanitation system could recover from the damage and can function normally. This would also allow for the recovery of sidewalks from illegal occupants, they added.
The residents have further alleged that influential shopkeepers, hotel owners, peddlers and a few others had completely occupied the rainwater drains by installing solid covers over the drains.
Although sidewalks are constructed at a cost of millions of rupees for the public, they remain completely inaccessible to them. Citizens of Khalabat have demanded that the Haripur Deputy Commissioner (DC) abolish the monthly roof tax imposed by the KMC and carry out a large scale operation against illegal encroachments so that rainwater drains, sidewalks and wide roads could become available to the public again.
The public further demanded that the district administration and the provincial government immediately improve the sanitation system by opening rainwater drains so that the problems of the locals could be addressed.
Main road in deplorable condition
A busy thoroughfare in Haripur, which is located within plain sight of the DC office and is adjacent to a trauma centre as well as Rescue 1122, reportedly presents a picture of sorry plight due to the presence of various ditches.
Also present in the vicinity is a park for women and children, who, along with other pedestrians and a multitude of students make up the bulk of people facing immense difficulties in crossing the road riddled with potholes.
These observations were conveyed by Aurangzeb Mughal, a senior member of Pakistan People’s Party, while talking to reporters in the city.
“The drain right in front of the main gate of the women’s park is closed since a long time. We have shouted ourselves hoarse to get it repaired and cleaned, but no action has been taken yet,” said Mughal.
He recalled that recently, an announcement had been made that the DC intends to repair the street lights of Haripur and conduct a thorough clean-up of the city as well. “We earnestly request the DC office to consider the terrible condition of this main road as well, as it is a major concern for the citizens and may result in an untoward incident any moment,” he said.
Mughal further said that the matter needs urgent attention and rectification as the road is also the only passage to several settlements and major areas such as Mohalla Eidgah, Darwish, Railway Station and Central Jail.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 5th, 2022.
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