NAROWAL: Up to 13 streets of Rasoolpura and Sanaullah Colony have been submerged in sewage for the last one month after the railways authorities blocked the drain passing under the railway track.

A local railway official ordered blocking the sewage passage, residents alleged.

Due to the lack of alternative sewage pipelines and a sewage treatment, the dirty water is accumulating on the streets.

With the resumption of the classes in primary schools, students of the Government Girls Primary School in Rasoolpura Mohallah have also been forced to walk through the sewage to reach the school.

Locals Abdul Karim and Shahid said women, children and the elderly were facing problems due to the overflowing streets. They said no municipality official had visited the scene despite their repeated requests to them.

Mr Ashraf said a complaint had also been lodged on the portal of the prime minister.

Another resident, Mohammad Shabbir, said the accumulation of sewage on the streets was damaging their houses.

Residents Ulfat Bibi and Sharifan Bibi said the stench was unbearable. They said sewage was entering their homes.

According to railway officials, the sewage bridge under the Narowal-Sialkot railway track has collapsed which forced them to clog the sewer to prevent a possible collapse of the track and train accident.

Municipal Committee Chief Officer Waqar Ahmed said they did not have any alternative sewage line for the drainage.

He said the engineers of the Narowal Municipal Committee were planning an alternative sewerage system for the area.

“We are trying to get rid of the problem,” he said.

Local residents have demanded Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief Minister Usman Bazdar take notice of the situation.

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2021