KARACHI, June 30: The municipal services department of the Karachi city government and the Saddar Town administration, in a combined operation, started cleaning a major drain at New Challi after the removal of all encroachments.

The drain is the only outlet for storm-water in Ramswami, M.A. Jinnah Road, Hari Masjid, Lunda Bazaar, Pakistan Chowk and the adjoining areas, which was closed down in 1970 after a four-storey building was constructed over it.

Because of the construction of a parking yard and other structures by a bank and other organisations at several points, the area was usually inundated by water during the rainy season.The city government restored the drain under its policy of cleaning and clearing all rainwater drains besides the removal of encroachments.

Last year a major drain at Bath Island was cleaned after the demolition of illegal structures and this year there were no problems with the drainage of water.—PPI