KARACHI: Mosquitoes, flies invade as towns neglect sanitation
By Azizullah Sharif
KARACHI, April 1: Flies, mosquitoes and other insects have invaded many city areas, leading to a steep rise in cases of malaria and diarrhoea.
Despite the visible grim situation, with markets, residential and commercial areas equally hit by swarms, no remedial measures have been taken, and the rules pertaining to cleanliness and hygiene are also not being implemented in letter and in spirit.
Unhygienic conditions prevails in different areas, particularly densely-populated residential localities, and markets, especially of meat, chicken, fish, vegetables, fruits, dates, etc.
It seems as if no rules are applicable to shopkeepers and vendors trading in merchandise like eatables, and those inviting flies.
Thick blankets of flies can be seen covering date stocks in the Khajoor Bazar and different other markets, whereas similar is the position inside meat and fish markets elsewhere in the metropolis.
Not a single net is visible at any such market and vending spots though the relevant rules bind the sellers to use nets to cover their marchandise to avoid the spread of infectious and viral diseases.
The overflowing gutters are also responsible for prevailing unhygienic conditions in and around various markets.
On the one hand, almost the entire city has been invaded by mosquitoes and flies and, on the other none of the town administrations, have made any arrangements for spraying insecticides, although a number of diseases are on the rise in the city.
During a visit to the city’s commercial areas and other places, such as Mohammad Bin Qasim Road (formerly known as Burnes Road), Shahrah-i-Iraq, Saddar, Empress Market, Tariq Road’s main commercial area, Karimabad’s Memon Market, Lea Market, revealed that as flies and other insects hover on fruits, meat and other eatables, no precautionary measures have been taken by the vendors and shopkeepers handling in foodstuff.
Area shopkeepers say that unhygienic conditions prevailing around these markets owing to filthy water which often remains overflowing on pavements, roads and streets.
It has also been observed that employees of restaurants and those selling ‘fruit chat’, ‘bun Kabab’ ‘Dahi Barre’ ‘Cholle’, etc, have developed the habit of disposing of leftover food nearby on the roadsides and they go unpunished despite the fact their acts were not only causing damage to roads but also creates a filthy environment.
Moreover, heavy presence of pushcarts selling fruits and other merchandise on narrow streets of the markets, are the main source of congestion in the markets, creating hindrance in the smooth flow of traffic.
Besides, pavements of the markets are also heavily encroached upon by vendors, causing inconvenience to shoppers and passersby.
