It’s not fog, it’s burning garbage

KARACHI: After seeing piles of garbage on the street, residents have resorted to setting it on fire, leaving a burning smell in the neighbourhood.

During the tenure of former city nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) placed an order for 14 night-sweeping machines, which were imported from China. Since their arrival, the machines have been tucked away at the CDGK Machine Pool located inside the Mewa Shah Graveyard.

Running these machines is an added expense as each machine will require at least Rs5.6 million per month for fuel, accessories, repairs and maintenance expenses, an official said.

The Municipal Services Department of the CDGK is responsible for monitoring garbage disposal of the main arteries and the TMAs are responsible for all the streets and roads that fall within their jurisdiction.

Presently, around a dozen sweeping machines are being used for night-sweeping but these operations are not being carried down regularly as the city government needs more funds. Officials estimate that around Rs1 million are needed every day to run these machines but they are only receiving a fraction of the required amount.

Municipal Services Department district officer Khuda Bux Shaikh, who is incharge of sweeping and garbage disposal, told The Express Tribune that the primary responsibility of garbage disposal in public spaces rests with the TMA. The municipal department is only a supporting unit where TMAs can address their concerns, he said.

According to Shaikh, Lyari, Liaquatabad, Malir and Korangi towns are collectively using 28 CDGK vehicles even though the department is already suffering financial constraints as Eidul Azha is approaching.

For their part, the towns are also complaining of a shortage of funds. Liaquatabad Town administrator Khalid Riaz Siddiqui explained that there is a shortage of funds because the money is being used for expenses that are ‘far more important that garbage disposal’. The government recently released Rs20.2 million, as share from octroi and zila tax, but it was spent on employees’ salaries pending for over six months.

When questioned about the pile of garbage burning in the vicinity besides Gujjar Nala, Siddiqui said that some people must have taken advantage of the public holiday.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2010.