KARACHI: Cleanliness of 38 big drains of Karachi started on Thursday under World Bank's Click project.

Cleanliness would be completed within 45 days with a cost of 8 million dollars. The cleanliness began from Mehmoodabad where Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar inaugurated the campaign. Secretary Local Government Roshan Ali Shaikh, Senior Director Coordination Masood Alam and other officials were also present on the occasion.

Nasir Hussain Shah said that blockage of drains was a major issue and they are trying to resolve it with assistance of the World Bank. He said that NESPAK has also beem included in the project to ensure garbage lifted from the drains taken to landfill sites. The Local Government Minister said in the past billions of rupees was spent on drains cleanliness but the required results could not be achieved. "This time we'll try to ensure the work is done proper manner," he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar said that they informed Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Local Government Minister about blockage of drains as they are full of garbage. Rain drains have now been converted into sewerage drains, he added.

Akhtar said that heavy rains are predicted in Karachi and the current situation is very concerning as there is also a threat of urban flood. Hailing the provincial government for cleanliness, he hoped that the work would continue in the future as well. "We hope that cleanliness of drains will be done on consistent basis so that these issues could be resolved," he added.

The Mayor requested the citizens not to dump garbage in the drains as it leads to blockage of the nullahs. He also asked the provincial government to make Sindh Solid Waste Management Board active to collect garbage. "The drainage system cannot be effective until disposal of garbage at landfill sites," he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020