KARACHI, March 3: The residents of Baghdadi Union Council have called for immediate replacement of sewerage lines on D.D. Chaudhary Road near Lea Market Telephone Exchange.

They said that underground seepage caused by defective sewerage system was very alarming and hazardous for the area buildings. They further said that the sewerage lines had outlived, as these pipelines were laid when the area population was very thin.

Since the population had increased much more, they added, the sewerage system had become ineffective to cater to the needs of a huge population. The situation demanded immediate replacement of lines by 48" dia pipes, they added.

Last year, the former chief engineer (sanitation) had visited the site himself and promised to replace the drainage lines in due course of time, they said. However, they pointed out that nothing had been done in this regard so far.

A press release of the Mohalla Committee issued here on Wednesday stated that the water and sanitation department had started laying water lines on Feb 11.

However, the department could not succeed in completing the work because of underground leakages of sewage that was gushing out speedily towards water and telephone lines.

According to the press release, this collapse of sewerage system had been inspected on Feb 28 by the SE (Water), who was accompanied by other officials, in the presence of Mohalla Committee and senior residents of the area.

"Seeing such deplorable situation, opposite Lea Market Exchange, the officials decided to discontinue the renovation work of laying lines. They decided to ask the sanitation department to replace the sewerage lines by 48" dia and all manholes on priority basis," the press release added.

Area residents said that the sewerage lines often remained chocked causing sewage overflow throughout the year. They urged the civic agencies to replace sewerage system and install a 48- inch dia main sewerage line on D.D. Chaudhary Road.