KARACHI, Aug 18: The Karachi City District Government has provided 35 vehicles and machinery, worth Rs45 million, to Towns to meet their requirements for bringing improvement in the cleanliness condition of the city.

The vehicles and machinery were handed over to the Towns at a ceremony held on Sunday in the premises of the city government’s stores department.

It will be used for lifting garbage and will enhance the garbage removal capacity.

Speaking on the occasion, City Nazim Naimatullah Khan said the vehicles and mechanical equipment were needed by the Towns while more vehicles and equipment would be provided to them in December.

He pointed out that in the history of the city, no such attention had been paid on the purchase of machinery.

Naimatullah Khan was of the view that without providing modern mechanical equipment, the cleanliness situation in the city could not be improved.

He told the Towns representatives that the vehicles were a trust of the people of Karachi and, therefore, it should be protected.

“The time has come for the elected representatives of Karachi to prove and make people feel that they have reposed their trust in capable people”.

He asserted that during the cleanliness drive, the whole city should be cleaned as the requirements of the Towns were being fulfilled to a great extent.

The City Nazim handed over keys of vehicles to Town Nazimeen on the occasion.

Naimatullah Khan said he would personally participate in the cleanliness drive, starting from August 22. He also asked the Town, Union Nazimeen and the councillors to also join their respective staff in the cleanliness campaign and achieve the targets.

The City Nazim pointed out that under the Khushhal Pakistan Programme, the DCO is also the project director and he took personal interest in the purchase of the machinery and ensured its timely procurement.

Speaking on the occasion, DCO Karachi Shafiqur Rehman Paracha described the day as a happy occasion as local bodies institutions were being equipped with modern mechanical equipment and they would no more be dependent on others for cleaning of drains.

He announced that debris charges, which previously were being recovered by the city government, were being handed over to the Towns to enhance their revenue level.

Mr Paracha pointed out that the decision was taken in the interest of the city and also for enhanced income of the Towns.

The DCO said that with strict enforcement of rules and ensuring the participation of people, the civic problems could easily be solved.

He asked the Towns to take action against people found dumping debris in the open and ensure implementation of law in this regard. —APP