Construction along Nehr-e-Khayyam slammed

KARACHI:

A nehr (canal) that residents say should remain a lifeline for the city's drainage system is now at the centre of a growing battle over commercialisation, with Clifton residents warning that construction along Nehr-e-Khayyam could come at a heavy environmental cost.

From fears of urban flooding to concerns over marine pollution, protesters say the concrete structures emerging along the waterway raise troubling questions about the project's purpose, legality and long-term impact on the metropolis.

Carrying placards and banners declaring "No to commercial activities at Nehr-e-Khayyam", residents and civil society representatives took to the streets on Sunday, demanding an immediate halt to construction and the disclosure of approved plans, environmental clearances, contracts and project costs.

The protesters alleged that the construction could pave the way for shops, commercial buildings and a food street along the canal, potentially narrowing the waterway and reducing its capacity to carry rainwater towards the sea. They said the government had yet to adequately explain the project or share its detailed plans with affected residents.

Rasha Tariq, a representative of Clifton Residents, said the authorities had failed to answer residents' questions despite repeated protests.

"This is a potentially disastrous project that could cause serious harm to the city," she said, adding that civil society members, elected representatives, lawyers, showbiz personalities and people from other walks of life had joined the campaign.

Residents recalled that a similar attempt to construct a building along the canal in 2005 had been challenged in court, eventually resulting in the structure's demolition. They alleged that work had resumed in 2019 and expressed concern over the latest construction activity.

The protesters questioned whether the Sindh government had obtained the necessary environmental approvals, how much the project would cost and whether residents had been consulted before work began.

Amber, a representative of a citizens' organisation, said residents who had opposed commercial activities along Nehr-e-Khayyam in 2005 would continue to resist what they described as encroachments on the waterway.