KARACHI: Lifting of garbage in several areas of the metropolis has begun after Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had warned local administration of serious consequences as an increasing number of complaints about the issue had begun to pile up, it emerged on Saturday.

The CM had asked deputy commissioners of the six districts of Karachi to launch and oversee the lifting of garbage in the city.

Officials at the CM House said the chief minister was fuming over the growing hue and cry among general public as reflected in the media showing the city getting dirtier with each passing day.

“The chief minister asked all deputy commissioners to launch and supervise campaigns to ensure all parts of Karachi are clean and offering better hygiene,” an official in the Sindh government said.

Officials say 79 tonnes of garbage lifted in Korangi district

A spokesperson for the CM House said soon after the chief minister’s directives lifting of garbage had started by district administrations in the city.

The officials specifically gave details about district Korangi, where the deputy commissioner had informed the Sindh government that through a special drive the municipal and administrative officials in the district had removed 79 tonnes of garbage from various areas.

“The main objective of cleanliness campaigns as directed by the chief minister is aimed at offering clean and green environment to the residents of Korangi district,” stated an official at the CM House.

Officials said that on the first day in Korangi the drive saw participation of maximum number of officials, including deputy commissioner, his subordinates and staffers of the District Municipal Corporation Korangi.

They said the CM at a specifically convened meeting recently assigned district administration with the task of cleaning the city.

“All deputy commissioners would personally launch and monitor lifting of garbage and ensure proper sweeping of their districts,” said a government spokesperson.

The neighbourhoods, including Qayyumabad, 12,000 Road, Shah Faisal Colony and Model Colony, among various other localities, were the main targets from where “mountains of filth and garbage” were removed.

Heavy machinery, including dumpers and shovels were used for removal of the piles of garbage. At Qayyumabad, 14 big dumpers lifted nearly 60 tonnes of garbage. From APP Church area at DMC School Qayyumabad another 10 tonnes of garbage was removed. Similarly, in Model Colony, nine tonnes of garbage was removed.

The DC Korangi and DMC Korangi have joined hands to launch the campaign in which about 250 workers and other staff have been assigned to get the district rid of the backlog of trash that had long been forgotten.

Officials said garbage from the district was initially transported to the garbage transfer station (GTS) Char Minar near 100 Quarters area and would ultimately be transported to the landfill site at Deh Jam Chakro for proper disposal by the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board.

The DC Korangi has warned private hospitals, schools, marriage halls, and commercial buildings that action would be taken against them if they were found dumping garbage in their areas.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2019