The filth caused by Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB)’s chocked sewerage pipelines has resulted in an outbreak of skin diseases in various parts of Malir Town.
Due to the chocked sewerage lines, people have to pass through sewerage water to reach their homes. In some of low lying parts of the town, the filthy water has entered their homes.
This is causing skin diseases among people, particularly children, and there has been a sharp increase of skin disease patients at the only public sector hospital in the area – the Sindh Government Hospital Saudabad.
The residents of various areas of Malir Town – Muhammadi Colony, Sabir Colony and Madina Colony – have been facing this problem for the last four months.
Pakistan Today visited parts of Malir Town and found open manholes in the area and children playing in sewage water.
The residents have been forced to change their route for vehicular movement to avoid the streets flooded with sewage water.
Kashif, a resident of Al-Abbas Imambargah Street in Madina Colony, said,” I bought a 120 square yard house for Rs 500,000 a year ago. At that time, there was no sewerage problem in the area but after seven months, the manholes started overflowing. We approached the Malir Town administration where the officials concerned told us to contact the KWSB to have the problem solved. We contacted KWSB Malir executive engineer several times and wrote complaints, but he continues to ignore our problems. Then we approached our elected representative, MPA Malir Sajid and wrote several complaints to him as well, but he also did not respond.”
Kashif further said that due to open manholes and sewage water on the streets, his two minor daughters are suffering from skin diseases. “I have decided to send my family to my parents for treatment and avoid the spread of the disease,” he added.
An elderly woman, who resides in Sabir Colony, invited Pakistan Today to inspect her home.
Sewage water was leaking from the washrooms in her home and passing through the main entrance onto the street. The water was also entering her rooms and kitchen.
“I visited the Malir Town administration’s office and lodged complaints but there was no one to listen to my problems,” she said.
Malir’s member of the provincial assembly Sajid admitted that the residents are facing the sewerage problem and suffering from skin diseases.
“The residents of Muhammadi Colony, Madina Colony and Sabir Colony came to me several times and I forwarded their complaints to the KWSB, but the water and sewerage utility took no action over the issue,” he said.
KWSB Malir Executive Engineer Zubair said that machines would be sent to the affected areas to pump out the sewage water and then the chocked sewerage lines would be replaced.
“There is rain emergency in the city and all machines are being used remove rainwater from the main roads. When they are available, they would be used in the affected areas in Malir Town,” he said.
