KARACHI: Encroachments on drainage system in Scheme 33
KARACHI, Aug 22: High-rise buildings and commercial units have been built on stormwater drains and sewerage system in Scheme-33. A source in the city government told Online that the drainage system of Scheme-33 might collapse as corrupt officials of the defunct Karachi Development Authority (KDA) did not develop proper sewerage system and storm water drains in the past, sold land to builders a large number of houses, high-rise buildings and commercial units were built.
These concrete structures were built on the land where stormwater drains and trunk sewerage system were passing underground.
It could also result in mixing of sewage with potable water and may result in the outbreak gastroenteritis.
Sources said that the corrupt KDA officials sold 10,000 square lands to a builder in 1990, which was allotted for the development of a sewerage treatment plant. Now, a high-rise building was constructed its place.
About 200 societies had been developed in Scheme-33 from Sector 1-A to Sector 46. It had been supposed that sewerage system would be developed in 200 km but sewerage pipelines were laid in only 90 km in 25 years, source maintained.
A 54-inch dia sewerage pipeline was laid in Sector 42 but no manhole was developed in this major pipeline, which made the cleaning work impossible.
In connivance with the Karachi Development Authority and Board of Revenue (BoR) officials, many Katchi Abadies were established on stormwater drains. Some builders also occupied land of stormwater drains and established parking lots and shops etc.
A number of houses and high-rise buildings had been constructed near a 60 inch dia sewerage line passing under Abul Isphani Road which might be dangerous for the building and the pipeline both, sources disclosed.
Due to this mismanagement, the city government had decided to hand over sewerage system/storm water drains of Scheme-33 to the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) about two years ago but the KWSB was reluctant to take over this system due to its pathetic condition and encroachments, source maintained.
Recently, the Sindh government has appointed a project director for Scheme-33 to rehabilitate the utility system in the areas but so far no action had been taken in this regard.
