KARACHI, Dec 3: The long-neglected coastal areas of the city have been left out from the Karachi Development Package, announced by President Musharraf for a major overhaul of Karachi’s infrastructure.

The Rs29 billion package, envisaging development schemes for different parts of the city, includes not a single project approved for the development of the coastal areas.

Absence of basic facilities in the coastal areas is an ample proof of the government’s indifferent attitude towards this vital territory which is one of the major sources of revenue contributing million of rupees generated through fisheries and other sectors.

There are as many as 1,200 villages located across the coastal areas right from Mubarak Village (Keamari) to Ibrahim Hyderi (Bin Qasim). Population of these villages range from 2,000 to 10,000. The villages lack basic facilities and due to the absence of health facility, life of the inhabitants of most of the villages is miserable. Relevant departments have not taken any step to ensure even their survival as people, especially women and children, most often need to be provided prompt medical treatment.

There is no public sector hospital in the coastal areas and most of the inhabitants depend fully on the facilities provided by some NGOs. Though the NGOs are striving hard to cater to the needs of the poor villagers, their limited resources fall far short of adequacy. A high mortality rate in mother and child prevails for long in these villages which is generally attributed to lack of proper medical facilities.

There are some dispensaries established by the government in different villages but without medical staff, who have reportedly been drawing salaries regularly.

The basic amenities badly needed in these villages include potable water, electricity, health and education, etc., but the government has turned a blind eye towards them. Roads in these villages are also in a dilapidated condition. —PPI