Sewage and garbage crisis paralyses Karachi road

Sewage, garbage, stray dogs turn Jubilee-to-Garden stretch into a health hazard

KARACHI:

The worsening sewage and garbage disposal system in Karachi has become a source of misery for citizens. In the Old City area, one track of the road leading from Jubilee to Garden remains submerged in filthy sewage water, while waste flowing out of a nearby garbage dump has made the situation even worse. Stray dogs have taken shelter among the piles of garbage and stagnant water, turning the affected stretch into an unusable route for traffic.

For several months, one side of the two-way road from Jubilee to Garden has been inundated with sewage water, rendering it unusable for vehicles. The water on the road not only spreads a foul stench but also mixes with the filth from the adjacent garbage dump, worsening the unhygienic conditions.

Stray dogs now roam and reside in these dirty water and garbage piles, making it dangerous for pedestrians and motorists to pass through. This road is a key route for those travelling to Civil Hospital, Jubilee Market, and SIUT Hospital. Despite the presence of the Civil Defence office on one side and the Garden Police Headquarters on the other, official negligence has left the area engulfed in garbage and foul smells.

According to a local resident named Tariq, this situation has been recurring repeatedly for the past two years, yet no concrete action has been taken despite multiple complaints. Frustrated by unfulfilled promises, citizens have lost faith in the authorities. The situation has deteriorated to the point where vehicles travelling in both directions are forced to use a single track, increasing the risk of accidents.

Residents also reported a rapid rise in mosquito breeding in the stagnant water, heightening the risk of dengue and other diseases. They have urged the concerned departments to immediately improve sanitation and drainage systems so the road can be fully restored for use. Citizens said that such conditions in the city's central areas raise questions about the performance of the municipal administration. If timely action is not taken, the issue of garbage and sewage could become even more severe.