Commissioner of Karachi, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, as per directives of the Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, on Tuesday ordered immediate removal of all concrete, and otherwise, structures raised on and around storm water drains in the city.
Consequent to his detailed meetings with the heads of different civic agencies, functional in the metropolis, the commissioner also ordered cancellation of allotment orders issued to individuals as well as groups for building structures on nullah and drains meant to ease flow of rain water during monsoons. Acknowledging the fact that the city is managed by different agencies and that there was registered to be a lack of co-ordination among these, Shoaib Ahmad Sidiqui said violation of rules and regulations is unacceptable under any condition.
He said failure of concerned officials to prevent disruption created at rainwater drains and nullahs needed to be avoided for good and a mechanism has to be developed to stop re-erection of structures being razed in compliance his orders. He said Rain Emergency Plan must be immediately finalised, in accordance to the contingency plans prepared by different district administrations and agencies as KMC, Cantonment Boards etc. The contingency plan that include details about gadgets, machines, vehicles and man power available with each of the department and agency, he said would help to address the situation in next spell of monsoons.
Sddiqui said the meteorological department is also being approached to ensure that weather forecast forwarded to Karachi administration and its different civic agencies must entail details about the intensity of rain spell, that too on daily basis. "The details about the intensity being normal, medium moderate or heavy would definitely help improve our level of preparedness," said the commissioner. He said the meeting that extensively discussed level of loss caused during the recent showers also agreed that people from affected areas must be provided potable water through KWSB tankers.
People from the rain affected areas, particularly those pertain to slums must also be provided food at the camps established for them in Gadap, Bin Qasim Town and Liaqutabad, said the commissioner. He told journalists that he has also ordered immediate halt to construction of a multi-storeyed building near a rain water and storm drain at Pehelwan goth.
"I had been informed about it on Tuesday only," he said. About preventive measures against dengue and malaria, the commissioner said spray and fumigation campaign is being intensified and improved. He said senior director of medical services, KMC, Dr Mohammad Ali Abbassi has also been appointed as a focal person to supervise spray and fumigation exercise. He has also been asked to submit the authorities a daily report about the campaign. Similarly cantonment boards have also been asked to realise their responsibilities in this regard and cooperate with KMC health authorities.