Lahore’s sanitation at risk due to ‘corruption’

Recurring ‘Saaf Lahore’ project indicative of crisis

LAHORE:

The Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC), entrusted with an annual budget of Rs16 billion for city cleaning, is grappling with a deteriorating sanitation system due to escalating corruption and the presence of inexperienced officers.

The consequence of this grim situation is the recurring initiation of the "Saaf Lahore Zero Waste Programme" every two months.

In a bid to enhance transparency within the company’s cleaning and curative functions, CEO Sahib Deen Babar divided LWMC into two distinct sections.

However, the presence of an inexperienced team has significantly hindered effective garbage disposal, culminating in the frequent launch of the Saaf Lahore Zero Waste Program.

Currently, over three thousand containers dispersed across the city are in dire states of disrepair, rendering them useless for waste collection.

This subpar performance has led to garbage piling up on the streets, rather than being disposed of properly in the containers.

While main highways boast comparatively better sanitation, the condition of streets and alleys is worsening, contributing to an alarming increase in foul odours in these areas.

The brunt of citizen complaints about poor sanitation falls disproportionately on the underprivileged neighbourhoods of Dataganj Bakhsh, Ravi, Sumanabad, Iqbal Town, and Gulbarg Zone. Even Nishtar Zone and Aziz Bhatti Zone have not been immune to public grievances.

Despite presenting rosy performance reports to CEO Sahib Deen Babar, the areas that showcase improvements are selectively highlighted, sometimes misleadingly, during his visits.

During a recent inspection, CEO Babar ordered the immediate replacement of dilapidated containers along various highways in Gulbarg.

His directives encompassed enhancing cleanliness on both main roads and local streets, as well as ensuring round-the-clock attendance of sanitary workers in all shifts.

The unwieldy challenge of tackling the city’s sanitation crisis is increasingly apparent due to the presence of an inexperienced team.

The CEO has mandated daily zero waste initiatives at temporary collection points citywide, reflecting the urgency of the matter.

Meanwhile, in the procurement department of LWMC, Deputy CEO Muhammad Fahad oversees a budget allocation of around Rs7.5 billion for salaries and over Rs1.05 billion for expenses such as fuel.

Alarming is the fact that more than seven billion rupees are disbursed for workshops, advertisements, and other areas.

This financial leak is primarily attributed to officers seeking substantial commissions, consequently derailing the organization’s planning and cleanliness goals.

Sources disclosed that the LWMC officials seem to be favouring temporary solutions over the pursuit of sustainable projects.

Initiatives such as waste-to-energy composting, door-to-door waste collection, acquiring dumping points, and separate waste sales appear to be languishing.

CEO Babar Sahib Din emphasised that no lapses in Lahore’s cleanliness can be tolerated, and all available resources must be deployed to ensure the city’s sanitation facilities meet acceptable standards.

Babar Sahib Din’s plea to citizens is for their cooperation with LWMC staff by responsibly disposing of litter in designated bins.

His final directive emphasised the presence of all officers in the field to enable a better cleaning environment for Lahore’s residents and visitors.