KARACHI: The city administration on Tuesday directed the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) to identify and take action against factories and industrial units illegally dumping waste in public places.

Taking notice of the lack of cleanliness, poor sanitation, and water shortages, Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi visited various parts of the city to assess the civic situation and noted that improvements were urgently needed.

During his visit to Korangi, he was informed that over 2,000 factories were operating in the area, with some involved in illegal waste dumping. The commissioner directed the SSWMB to ensure that factory waste is not dumped in public places.

He was accompanied by the Managing Director of the Water and Sewerage Corporation, Syed Salahuddin Ahmed, and the Deputy Commissioners of Korangi and Malir, Masood Bhutto and Saleemullah Odho, among others.

The commissioner reviewed the water supply arrangements at Korangi’s 5.5 Number and the Ali Akbar Shah Pumping Station in Ibrahim Hyderi. He was informed that power supply suspensions at the pumping station, due to load-shedding in Korangi No 5.5, were hindering water supply to various areas of Korangi and Landhi.

Mr Naqvi directed the Water Corporation to prioritise measures to improve water supply at the two pumping stations. He also instructed the deputy commissioner to coordinate with K-Electric to eliminate load-shedding and ensure a stable power supply during critical times.

Additionally, the commissioner took notice of the poor condition of stormwater drains in areas like Bilal Colony and Korangi 2.5. The deputy commissioner was directed to work with the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and relevant agencies to clean up clogged stormwater drains.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2024