LAHORE: Increasing sewerage/drainage issues are not only annoying a large population living in several residential areas situated along both sides of the Barki Road but also causing serious environmental problems and exposing negligence on the part of authorities concerned.

Since Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) does not own the area (Barki Road stretch from Dogra/Paragon City Housing Society and onward) as it does not fall under its service jurisdictions in terms of water supply and sanitation, the officers concerned in the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore or Aziz Bhatti Town/Zonal Administration also seem least interested in resolving such important civic issues.

“This area doesn’t fall in our jurisdiction as we are neither providing services related to water supply nor sanitation (sewerage/drainage) there,” Wasa Deputy Managing Director (Operations) Muhammad Latif told Dawn.

“I think you should contact the MCL or town administration in this regard as we are not related to this area,” he told this reporter.

Wasa, MCL, town admin deny having the area in their jurisdictions

Wasa’s Aziz Bhatti Town director also termed the area as not of Wasa.

“We have checked in depth. This area is not in our jurisdiction,” declared Wasa Director (Operations) Khurram.

On the other hand, the residents, who continue to suffer often due to sewage/drainage, encroachment and cleanliness issues on Barki Road, criticised the government for not taking action despite highlighting the issue in the media.

“It is very difficult to pass through this road on motorcycle, cycle or by foot as everywhere you will find this busy thoroughfare flooded with dirty and foul smelling sewerage,” laments a resident living in a nearby residential scheme.

“Both Cantonment Board and Wasa don’t see this area as falling in their jurisdiction whenever we approach them. Moreover, the MCL/town admin also does not own this fully. Where should we go to resolve this issue?” he asks while lashing out at the respective authorities.

Another resident also criticised the quarters concerned for not paying heed to the issue, urging the government to intervene and help them resolve this.

“We appeal to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to issue directions for resolving such issues on the Barki Road immediately,” he said.

When contacted, MCL Chief Officer Shahid Kathia, while responding briefly to a message sent by this reporter, said: “I will check”.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2025