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KARACHI, July 15: A meeting held here on Monday, under the chairmanship of DCO Karachi Shafiqur Rehman Paracha, reviewed the arrangements made for cleaning of drains to avoid any difficulty that may be caused by possible rainfall, the condition of cleanliness in the city and the problems being faced by the people because of certain local bodies handicaps.
The meeting was attended by all the town municipal officers and other concerned senior officers. The TMOs briefed the meeting about details of cleaning of drains in their respective towns.
The meeting expressed dissatisfaction over the state of cleanliness in the city. The DCO asked all the TMOs to pay attention on sanitary conditions and ensure that garbage dumps are not allowed anywhere in the city and these be removed prior to rains.
It was decided that wherever scavengers have put up dumps of waste material, the concerned towns will take steps for their removal.
It was noticed that dumps of waste material set up in the city are creating unhygienic conditions and pollution and this can lead to possibility of any accident or it can catch fire.
The DCO said that such dumps, especially at Nishtar Road and Ibn-i-Sina Road, be removed. The DCO had observed these dumps during his visit to these roads earlier in the morning.
Shafiq Paracha also directed the TMOs that in towns where roads are being constructed, steps be taken for their beautification. He said the encroachments on road-sides be removed with the help of the revenue department.
On the occasion, he called for steps for removal of such encroachments from Nishtar and Ibn-e-Sina roads.
It was decided in the meeting that all DDOs would act as coordinators in connection with the cleanliness and other activities carried out by towns.
The participants of meeting were once again reminded of sending reports relating to cleaning of storm-water drains and rain emergency plan to the DCO on a daily basis.
The meeting reviewed the steps taken in connection with relief works to be taken in respect of those living in the low-lying areas and along the Malir and Lyari rivers.
It was informed that people living in low-lying areas and along the banks of seasonal rivers should vacate the areas in view of dangers of possible heavy rains. It was informed that most people have shifted from dangerous low-lying spots and other people are also shifting.
However, it was stated, the concerned towns have completed arrangements in connection with relief operations in case of rains. In this regard, relief camps have also been identified and staff lists prepared.
It was informed that arrangements are also being made for collection of food and eatables and other essential items.
COUNCIL HALL: A meeting, chaired by Mohammad Tariq Hasan, Acting Nazim Karachi City, approved here on Monday the proposed scheme to renovate the city council hall.
The meeting, attended by DCO Shafiqur Rehman Paracha, Brig Zaheer Qadri, Zaigham Jaffery and other senior officials, reviewed the facilities available for the Karachi City Council members and adopted a number of decisions.
The authorities, who along with Tariq Hasan, took a round of the old KMC Building prior to the meeting, approved setting up of a canteen for the council members at the ground floor of the building.
It was also decided that the renovation of rest-rooms at first floor would be carried out without any unnecessary delay. Besides there would an improvement of the council hall in accordance with the already approved lay-out plan.
Installation of a new sound system in the city hall, along with provision of a modern air-conditioning system, improvement in the floor work of the hall were also agreed upon at the meeting.
The measures were stated to be taken to extend due status to the city government building which houses the offices of the country’s major city council. Keeping in view the historical value of the old KMC building itself, the meeting agreed that its actual aura would be maintained, however, with needed renovations.
ROAD PROJECTS: The important road construction projects of Karachi, including Nishtar Road and Ibn-i-Sina Road, will be completed before August 14, the day when the City government will complete one year of its establishment.
This information was given to the district coordination officer, Shafiqur Rehman Paracha, during his visit to the city.
The DCO asked the officials concerned to ensure the completion of the schemes in time. He told them that quality should also be maintained.
Mr Paracha said it was a policy decision of the Karachi Nazim and the City Council that development schemes of Karachi should be completed as early as possible.
During his inspection visit, the DCO also went to Lasbella Bridge, where people had damaged a portion to make way for crossing the river.
He ordered immediate closure of this improvised passage and said the stairs constructed be dismantled and the broken part of the bridge be repaired.—APP
