KARACHI, June 8: Subhuman conditions prevail in Mohammadi Colony (formerly Machhar Colony) located on Mauripur Road, Keamari Town, mainly due to the negligence of authorities.
Insanitary conditions in the entire colony have been posing a constant threat to the lives of its inhabitants who are hundreds in number. Lack of cleanliness, people said, was a result of the concerned officials’ indifferent attitude and absence of sanitation staff.
A recent visit to Mohammadi Colony showed that life for the people residing along the tail-end of Kalri drain has become miserable as the area, being close to the Karachi Fish Harbour and the storm drain, has virtually been converted waterway for sewage flow as it carries filth and sewage water from areas of the former districts of South and West.
Civic agencies are yet to move to clear the major drain of rubbish, mud and other pollutants. Conditions in the colony have aggravated to the extent that the residents have started fearing that several localities on the periphery of the Mauripur Road might submerge in the upcoming monsoon rains if immediate steps were not taken for a smooth water flow through the Kalri nullah.
The outlet of the drain is in Baldia Town via different areas of Lyari Town towards the water’s final destination, the Arabian sea.
The drain at the outfall near Mohammadi Colony is almost clogged with sludge which has accumulated over a period of several years.
A resident of the colony revealed that the ‘step-motherly’ treatment was being meted out to the colony because of a land dispute between the KPT and certain government agencies.
He pointed out that the colony was deprived of nearly all the basic facilities, including water, sewerage and health.
The residents, most of them immigrants and upcountry people, have been demanding grant of legal status to the colony through regularization so that they could avail better civic facilities.
STREET LIGHTS: Residents of Baghdadi Union Council have expressed concern over poor lighting arrangements in the locality and drawn the attention of authorities concerned for taking immediate measures in this regard.
In an appeal, addressed to Nazim of Lyari Town, the residents said the situation on D. D. Chaudhry Road was troublesome for quite some time as the road leading to one of the most important installations — Lyari Telephone Exchange — remains totally dark after sunset. People, especially women and children, cannot not pass through it due to fear, they said. Even, they added, people residing along and around the road remained confined to their homes and that this was even more troublesome in the current hot summer.
Moreover, the staff and those people visiting the exchange during night hours in emergencies face immense hardship due to the darkness. They pointed out that their problems had multiplied because of the shabby conditions created by overflowing gutters and choked sewage lines. Sewage and filth have inundated sidewalks making it impossible for pedestrians to use them, they added.