Karachi: Minister for Local Government Agha Siraj Khan Durrani said storm water drainage a big problem in Karachi which is due to the presence of lot of encroachments on the old natural drains system that dates back to colonial era. Blockage in the flow of water resulted in overflow of drains and ultimately creating problems for surrounding localities. Government is now mulling over the plan to clear these drains from encroachments by providing alternate residence to people residing there.
He expressed these views while addressing a press conference in DCO Camp Office on Saturday.
The Provincial Secretary of Local Government Ali Ahmed, Administrator Karachi Muhammad Hussain Syed, M.D KWSB Misbah uddin Farid, EDO Revenue Roshan Ali Shaikh, EDO Municipal Services Masood Alam and other officers were also present on this occasion.
Agha Siraj Durrani said despite of huge spending on the repairing and maintenance of drains required results were not obtained due to presence of encroachments on drains. Therefore, he said, efforts were on to find out a permanent solution of this problem for which cooperation of people and people’s representatives was required; we will try to take everyone along to solve this problem.
Provincial Minister said a meeting of town administrators was convened on the directive of Governor of Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan and Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah to review the preventive measures that have been taken in view of the expected rains in whole province including Karachi. A lot of things came into discussion in this meeting and important decisions were made.
City Government in Karachi and Town administration has also taken all necessary measures in this connection. However, he said, encroachments on drains were creating obstacles at some locations especially in Saddar Town which is the main route for all drains. All possible measures will be taken to remove the encroachments from storm water drains and assistance will also be sought from the people’s representatives in this regard.
He said that Karachi is the heart of Pakistan and Sindh, therefore, all possible steps will be taken for its beatification and progress. Efforts were being taken to solve the problems of city government and water board including funding.
Replying a query, the provincial minister said that stern action will be taken against the revenue officers found involved in helping water board’s land occupied.
He also directed Administrator Karachi Muhammad Hussain Syed to take powerful measures for bringing stability in the milk item’s prices in Karachi.
EDO Revenue Roshan Ali Shaikh on this occasion while giving a briefing on the action against land grabbers informed that city government had under the anti encroachments act took action and recover about 3378 acres of government land from the possession of illegal occupiers. He further said that a full operation will be taken next week in Cattle Colony to vacate all occupied government land.
For more information, contact:
Administrator Secretariat
City District Government Karachi (CDGK)
City District Government Complex,
1st Floor, Civic Centre, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi
Tel: +9221 9923 2400 -01
Fax: +9221 9923 2406
Email: administrator@karachicity.gov.pk