THE Karachi DHA’s official version on Oct 21 in response to the letter (Oct 8) by Syed Hasan Abbas appears nothing more than a face-saving effort. The official has conveniently shifted the blame and responsibility to the Cantonment Board Clifton. However, in doing so he has himself admitted the fact that the DHA being land developer is solely responsible for facility infrastructure and land development. The flooding of Phase IV is a problem from day one when the foundation was laid. So what can the CBC do, which according to a version, is responsible for maintenance, when the original structure is faulty? The official version of the DHA states that despite the fact that maintenance was part of the CBC, the DHA as a gesture of good-will for residents has undertaken refurbishment work on its own.

Everyone knows the quality of this work which was not properly supervised and left to the private contractors who did not perform well. Further the streets of Phase IV mentioned in the letter of Mr Hasan i.e., commercial streets 3, 4 and 5, no work on sewerage system was done. Perhaps the officials who wrote the official version have never visited the respective areas during rain to personally experience the woes of its residents. It is my humble request that he should spare some of his precious time to personally experience the scene at site.

Furthermore, the officials of the DHA conveniently omitted their comment on vigilance department which is only busy in harassing small vendors, shop keepers like the people in police department for their own benefit, ignoring the mandate given to them. Builders are allowed to encroach upon the roads for construction of buildings/bungalows but at a price.

Now the digging for laying fresh water supply pipelines is currently being done in Phase IV, 4th Commercial Street by a contractor on behalf of the CBC. The work is again not being supervised by anyone. Smaller diameter pipes are being used compared to existing pipes which will further aggravate the already acute water supply situation.

S. FAZAL HASNAIN Karachi