KARACHI: Mushroom growth of factories in Lyari Town: Residents seek removal
By Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI, April 18: Mushroom growth of factories and industrial units in residential areas of the old city areas in Saddar and Lyari Towns has become a public nuisance.
A survey shows that the whole area has been converted into a commercial jungle and there is no difference between a commercial area and a residential one.
These industrial units work day and night and create noise pollution and become a source of environmental problem. They generally do not pay any taxes to the government or the local bodies.
For years the residents of old city areas have been pressing the authorities to put a ban on operation of these hazardous units, but they pay no heed.
Some of these commercial units have been even granted licences by the municipal authorities to run their businesses. The residents say availability of warehousing facilities in every street is the main cause of establishment of these illegal units.
Most of the warehousing units were granted leases temporarily in the 40s and the 50 by the then deputy collector and have been categorized as CDC plots.
Despite the fact that the lease period of many commercial units has expired, they continue to operate because of their influence and high connections.
The residents have been demanding a ban on warehousing facilities in residential area and demanded their immediate shifting from the old city.
They said that warehouses in the old city areas have deteriorated the living conditions in the locality and the entire area is now occupied by the transport mafia.
A survey shows that more than 200 such units are operating in Lyari Town while the number of units in old town areas of Saddar Town is even greater.
The residents say most of these factories, set up illegally with the connivance of municipal officials, produce plastic made goods, soap, chemicals, and other items.
There are also ginning and steel factories in the midst of the residential area, and these are a permanent source of environmental pollution.
A senior doctor at the Lyari General Hospital said a plastic factory had been operating in a narrow street of D.D. Chaudhary Road day-and-night for the past many years, and people can hardly sleep because of constant noise from the factory.
According to him, the situation has become so intolerable that people now want to shift themselves from the there.
He further stated that people are fed up of increasing noise pollution and other pollutants.
Because of increase in volume of trade and commercial activity, Kharadar, Mithadar, Chand Bibi Road, Nanikwara, Lea Market, Haat Chowk, have become the hub of transport activity.
This has further created social problems for residents of these localities. It was for this reason, the people have been demanding shifting of transport business.
