KARACHI, Oct 14: Expressing concern over the prevailing insanitary conditions, the residents of Mohammadi Colony in Keamari feared that if immediate remedial steps are not taken, epidemic diseases could break out in the area.

According to them, the main road of the colony Baba Ahmad Road has been flooded by filthy water from overflowing chocked gutter lines for the past few weeks, but the authorities have failed to take corrective measures.

The colony is without a proper drainage system despite the fact it is situated on the tail-end of Karachi Fish Harbour.

Sewage could be seen on streets and the drain which carries sewage from districts South and West also passes through the colony. Its overflowing water always spills into streets and narrow lanes of the colony.

The residents said the locality was devoid of all basic facilities because of conflicting claims of the land-owning agencies, including KPT over the ownership of the land.

The residents claimed that they had been struggling for the regularisation of the colony for the last three decades, but their efforts could not bear fruit.

Although the KPT claims itself to be the owner of the land but it had shown no interest in its development, they complained.

Some years back the DMC-West had started work on Baba Ahmed Road and laid some sewerage lines but work on these projects remained incomplete because of paucity of funds.

They also urged the government to determine the legal status of the colony and direct concerned development agencies to improve the civic conditions in the locality.

A CBO activist also called for provision of potable water supply. Presently, they depend on private carriers to meet their water needs.