LAHORE, Jan 24: People are living under appalling conditions in some parts of the Sabzazar Housing Scheme due to complete absence of civic amenities.

The scheme has been named Sabzazar (meadow) for being situated on the bank of River Ravi but conditions in many parts are similar to katcha abadis because the roads and parks have either not been developed or have been rendered unserviceable for lack of maintenance.

Residents of the blocks situated near the Ravi bank are not in an advantageous position because of the proximity of the river as they have to bear the foul smell emanating from the Mianmir drain running along the embankment.

The largest slaughterhouse of the provincial metropolis at Kot Kamboh is a source of trouble for those living in the vicinity of Bund Road. They have to watch the arrival and departure of herds of sacrificial animals, stray dogs, vultures and crows hovering around the abbatoir and live with the foul smell of the burnt for drying blood in its vicinity.

People living in the scheme blocks near Kharak are plagued by the smell emanating from the large ponds of sullage water awaiting discharge into the river. Deep depressions caused due to digging of earth prior to the development of scheme also exist in some parts of the scheme.

The roads have been built along the depressions or in between but those allotted plots in the depressions have not dared to fill them for the construction of the house due to heavy costs involved.

Buffaloes and goats are also being kept in some parts of the scheme despite a ban. The place used for the Wednesday Bazaar every week is used as a cattle pen for the rest of the week. The parks in scheme are also in a state of neglect as the Parks and Horticulture Authority takes interest in maintenance of gardens and parks in posh areas alone.