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KARACHI, March 20: Garbage collection and its disposal is the most serious problem faced by the residents of Lyari Town. In many localities, garbage and waste material could be seen littered around. One could hardly endure the foul smell from the garbage while passing through any street. Municipal staff hardly pay any attention to this growing problem.
Heaps of garbage are often found lying from Government Girls Degree College, Moosa Lane to the KMC Maternity Home; near Government Technical College; and on Mir Muhammad Baloch Road as well as Fidha Husain Shaika Road.
The details of these facts have been sent by the Mohalla Committee of UC-5, Baghdadi, to the higher authorities of the country.
The committee members said that it was very alarming to note what type of atmosphere and environment was being provided to the children and young generation.
They also pointed out that the entire sewerage and sanitation network had collapsed to the extent that it was no more beneficial to the population. The shortcoming of the system got exposed during monsoons, which caused flooding and destruction of property disrupting all utility and other services.
According to them, the entire Lyari has become a breading ground for mosquitoes, flies and other insects. Sewage was over flowing almost on all the roads and streets causing great inconvenience for the area residents as well general public.
The communication states that major roads and service lanes, which are in very dilapidated condition, are lying unattended. Strangely enough the president's warning to the city government for repair of the damaged roads within 15 days also went unheeded.
ENCROACHMENT: The minibuses, coaches and long vehicles have occupied the important roads in the busy area of Lea Market roundabout and established their terminus there, which has been causing traffic problems as well as pollution.
Area residents said that the growing illegal terminus had also been encouraging some people to encroach upon the surrounding areas. They said that the situation demanded immediate attention of the civic agencies.
A visit to the Lyari Town showed that encroachments had been appeared in Lea Market, Baghdadi, Nawabad, Khadda Market, Shah Waliullah Road while the footpaths and pavements were being extended further along Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai Road, D.D. Chaudhary Road and Mir Muhammad Baloch Road.
According to the officials concerned, these encroachments are often removed but after a few days the encroachers re-appear with the connivance of local administration.
However, a resident of the area said, "There can be no excuse to justify the occupation of roads and footpaths by anybody. Roads are meant for the vehicular traffic and the footpaths are for pedestrians. These encroachments are required to be removed immediately.
Residents of the area also complained that the construction of high-rise buildings, lacking proper ventilation system, in connivance with the KBCA authorities was very common these days in Lyari Town.
They said that the space being left between the buildings under construction was hardly four to five feet in Baghdadi area. In case of emergency, they pointed out that no fire tender would get entrance in these streets.
The residents stressed that this was very serious issue and the authorities must take immediate measures to stop the illegal construction of high-rise buildings in the Lyari Town.
The Mohalla Committee in its communication urged the president and prime minister to look into the hardships of the people living in the oldest settlement of Karachi and order the provincial and city governments to take prompt action for their solution.
