The slum dwellers (katchi abadis) in the federal capital, mostly inhabited by sanitary workers, are without basic civic facilities. These abadis are clusters of mud houses having no potable water, no proper drainage system, dilapidated streets and poor sanitation. These slums are located in sectors F-6/1, F-6/2, F-7/4, G-7/1, G-7/2, G-7/3, I-9, G-8/4 and I-10/3. Most of these katchi abadies are located on the banks of streams in the city.
Talking to APP, the slum dwellers said solid waste dumped into the stream and dead trees not only polluted the water but also blocked its flow creating problems for them, especially in monsoon. They said the streams were full of solid waste as a large number of illegal sewerage connections ended in it.
The slum dwellers said stinking smell emanating from water of streams turned into sewerage nullahs had made their life miserable, as the polluted water was a breeding ground for a number of insects spreading deadly diseases. A slum dweller said the residents of katchi abadis were facing various problems due to negligence of the CDA. Sahbaz Masih, a sanitary worker, said he earned a meager amount, which was not sufficient to feed even a small family. “I want to send my kids to school, but it is unthinkable for me,” he said, adding I have no option except to live in the slum area to make both ends meet.
When contacted, a CDA official said a meeting of senior planners and government representatives would be held to finalise plans to uplift katchi abadis. “The residents must join hands with the CDA to make the capital a clean city. No municipality of the world can succeed in keeping the city clean without the cooperation of its residents. Therefore, the residents of the capital should cooperate with the CDA,” he said. He also stated that their focus was on removing garbage heaps, construction material and other eyesores which were ruining the capital’s beauty.
