City stinks after downpour

Piles of garbage pose disease outbreak threat

KARACHI:

A stench hangs in scores of neighbourhoods flooded with sewage and rainwater with piles of garbage and remains of sacrificial animals lying about.

While civic authorities cleared many areas in the sprawling Karachi division that has seven districts and population of over 16 million, many areas remain underserved.

Citizens took a strong exception to the performance of Sindh Solid Waste Management Board for failing in the post-Eid clean up.

Health experts have warned that there is a risk of outbreaks of infectious diseases due to the piled up offal and garbage and the stagnant rainwater left by days of downpour.

Moreover, many roads and streets have developed pot holes invisible under murky waters. These craters have caused a number of accidents and left many bikers injured and cars broken. As the people of Karachi shudder over forecast of more rains, city administration, Sindh government, cantonment boards and other civic agencies are throwing in all their resources to control the situation.

The worst hit-areas include National Stadium, Hassan Square, Liaquatabad, Ayesha Manzil, Rashid Minhas Road, Shahra-e-Faisal, Orangi Town, Shahrae Pakistan, MA Jinnah Road, Korangi Road, Korangi Expressway, Korangi Crossing, Gulistan Johar, Safari Park, Abul Hassan Isfahani Road, Sohrab Goth, North Karachi, Nagan Chowrangi, KDA Chowrangi, Yasinabad, Central and Clifton.

Similarly, roads, throughfare, streets and neighborhoods are in a state of disrepair. Rainwater has cleared from main roads, but its effects can still be seen in the streets and neighbourhoods. The condition of streets and palaces in Korangi, Landhi, Malir, Shah Faisal Kaloni, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Old City Air, Surjani Town, Liaqatabad, Nazimabad, Orangi Town, Baldia Town and Kemari is very bad. The roads are dilapidated, littered with dirt and grime. Residents of the area are facing severe difficulties in getting to and from the mud formed after the rains.

Central district clean up

Deputy Commissioner and Administrator for District Central Taha Saleem has directed the administration and local body officers and staff to ensure speedy disposal of the waste of sacrificial animals. The cleaning campaign should be continued on a permanent basis to provide a clean and transparent environment to the people, DC Central directed, urging on provision of a neat and clean environment . He specially directed the B&R and Sanitation Department of DMC Central not to be negligent in drainage of rain water and removal of garbage from residential and commercial areas.

CBC winds up offal lifting operation

Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) has completed the work of lifting the remains of sacrificial animals on Eidul Azha.

According to a CBC spokesperson, despite the monsoon rains, the CBC continued to pick up the remaina from the area. More than 1,480 tons of luxury items were picked up from different areas and disposed of. On Eidul Azha, 1,200 workers and more than 160 vehicles took part in the lifting operation. CBC areas are being cleaned after Eidul Azha. A spray campaign has been launched in DHA and katchi abadis.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2022.