Illegal encroachment besides sewage drains, over-staffing of LG deptts big problems: Qaim
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said that he has given lot of funds for cleanliness of storm-water drains and up gradation of KMC hospitals. “Today, I have come here to witness the condition of the hospitals and the city so that after utilization of funds I can compare the difference.”
This he said while talking to newsmen at three different locations, Sobhraj Hospital, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and at Gujjar Nala where he paid surprise visit. He was accompanied by Local Government Minister Jam Khan Shoro, Secretary Health Narejo and Commissioner Karachi Asif Hyder Shah.
Te chief minister said that he has released over Rs1.9 billion for up-gradation of KMC hospitals, repair & maintenance of important roads and cleanliness of nala. “I have also given them some extra funds to lift filth and garbage accumulated at different locations of the city,” he said and added that the purpose his visit of the city was to witness the condition of KMC hospitals, nalas and also visit the rapid response centers set up to help heat stroke affectees, if any.
He expressed his displeasure that the illegal encroachment has appeared along the nala. “The nalas which had width of over 30 feet have now reduced to seven to eight feet because people have constructed their houses on and along them,” he said and added “how it was possible for such squeezed nalas to discharge storm water and waste water together. Definitely, they would get choked and start gushing out water on to the roads and streets. This is how the cities are inundated.
The chief minister said “this is our city and it was our duty to keep it neat and clean, green and free from all kind of encroachment but nobody gave it ownership even those who always claim to be its sole custodians,” he observed and deplored what has been done with this city can be imagined from the fact that all its amenity plots have been sold, lush green trees chopped and allowed encroachment every where even on the drains and nalas, this is why every citizen is facing serious problems even those who live on the nalas because their children slip down while plying along their embankments.
Talking about the conditions of the hospitals, Sobhraj and Abbasi Shaheed, he said they need special attention. The local government minister Jam Khan Shoro was taking his personal interest to upgrade them and equip them with necessary gadgets. “I am quite satisfied that the district administrations of the city, KMC, DMCs and Health department have collectively made good arrangements by setting up heatstroke care centers,” he said and added “I am sure this time rapid response, in case of any emergency, would protect life of innocent citizens”.
Talking about KE attitude, the chief minister said that he had personally requested the prime minister to direct water & power ministry to reduce load-shedding in Karachi and rest of the province. “But, sorry to say nothing has been done so far and the load-shedding was on the increase ever since temperature has gone up,” he said.
The chief minister directed the local government minister to work out a detailed plan to shift the encroachers from nalas so that cleanliness work could be undertaken in proper way.
