SIALKOT, Jan 6: Water supply to city’s almost all congested, residential, commercial and industrial areas remained suspended for the 11th consecutive day on Friday as the Tehsil Municipal Administration failed to clear Gepco’s outstanding dues of Rs360 million.

Some 11 days ago, the Gepco authorities had disconnected all electricity connections of TMA’s water supply and streetlights sectors.

Local social and political circles have expressed concern over this nasty situation, and urged the higher authorities to take some effective measures to resolve the matter.

The Gepco officials said the TMA’s electricity would only be restored after a full payment of outstanding dues amounting to Rs360 million.

ordeal: Passengers have expressed concern over lack of facilities in the Karachi-bound Allama Iqbal Express train and urged the Pakistan Railways chairman to take some effective steps for making the journey comfortable.

Speaking to newsmen here, they also complained about delay in reaching destination because of unnecessary stopover.

They said there was no cleanliness in this train, as almost all the bogies of sleeper and economy classes give a look of trash. Drinking water is rarely found in the economy class bogies whose windowpanes are shattered.

The toilets inside the trains are not properly washed by the PR sanitary staff due to which the travellers have to face nauseating situation. Despite repeated appeals made by the travellers, the complainants alleged that the authorities concerned in Sialkot, Lahore, Khanewal and Karachi had not taken stock of the situation.

It was also complained that the PR ticket checkers misbehaved with them and, with the connivance of railways police, extort money. According to some people, the police are involved in corruption as they extort money by declaring luggage overweight.