KARACHI, June 25: Residents of Mohammadi Colony, also known as Machchar Colony, in Keamari Town, have been facing the worst kind of stinking conditions for a long time due to the negligence of civic authorities.

The colony is situated near the Karachi Fish Harbour and an open drain carrying sewage from Lyari River into the sea passes through the colony.

Insanitary conditions prevail in the colony as it is without a proper drainage system. As a result, its streets and roads always remain flooded by sewage, creating slush and filthy conditions everywhere.

A survey revealed that it’s narrow streets are also filled with garbage. Children with dirty clothes can also be found walking around barefooted.

A resident said that he and his family was forced to live under such miserable conditions because they could not afford to buy even a small hut somewhere else.

Because of controversy over the title of land, no agency has ever taken any interest in its uplift. Originally, the large number of population consisted of Bengalis and Burmese engaged in the fisheries sector.

Later, people mostly belonging to the labour class from other communities such as Pathans, Punjabis and Cutchis also started settling here.

The residents of Machchar Colony also have to buy drinking water from private carriers who bring cans loaded on donkey carts. It is doubtful whether such water is fit for human consumption as most of the carriers obtain it from illegal water connections passing close to sewerage lines.

The residents have urged the government and the agencies concerned to take immediate measure to improve living conditions in their locality.