Traders on Friday expressed displeasure over the lack of interest by Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) in cleansing markets from half-dried mud emerged from rainwater during the recent monsoon spell in the city. Talking to Business Recorder, traders of Arambagh furniture market said the dirt on market's streets is giving a bad look and smell. They said the visitors avoid entering their shops because of the uneasiness they face by going on the muddy road.
They said the KMC officials never came to visit the market to cleanse the accumulated rainwater which has now turned into filth. The government has lost its interest in solving the traders' issues as markets are still facing dirty waters which coming out on roads from chocked gutters. They said there are a number of markets where sewerage system since the first spell of recent monsoon rain has chocked. "People now avoid moving on filthy roads of markets which badly affects the sales and other business activities," they said.
"Since the first spell of rain, accumulated rainwater flowing on markets roads which has now turned into mosquitos' hatchery and giving a bad look to the business," said Chairman All Karachi Tajir Ittehad, Atiq Mir. He said sales since rain have declined in markets as visitors now avoid walking of dirty roads of the business centres. He said the KMC officials have never visited markets to pump out the rainwater. "The KMC's rain emergency preparation, plan and centres remained a false slogan as in the difficult hour, people suffered the most as usual," he said, adding that the lack of accountability system, the government has no concerns to do anything better for public.
He said the dirt has piled up and garbage spread as debris on the roads, while the civic administration is still unaware of its primary responsibility. "The government is more pleased to help the US instead of its nation," he criticised. Showing concerns, Atiq Mir said the situation at markets is likely to worsen with more spell of rain as the existing dirt will be added up to create difficulties for buyers and sellers.