Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui on Thursday said the changing weather suggested that it was the right time to clean rainstorm water drains which should be continued on regular basis so that the citizens do not get troubled during rains.
He directed keeping in view the expected rains, all the stormwater drains should be cleaned and repaired by utilizing complete resources to make drainage of water easy under the supervision of district officers so that rainwater could not harm lives and properties.
Siddiqui said the rains following sea cyclone would have heavy pressure of water on storm water drains due to which the dilapidated drains start oozing stagnant water and garbage blockades flow of water. This situation could prove to be devastating for the residents.
“All the rainstorm water drains should be cleaned and repaired,” Siddiqui said while addressing a meeting at his office regarding cleaning of drains.
Additional Commissioner Karachi I Javed Sibghatullah Mehr, Additional Commissioner II Haji Ahmed, Director Local Government Rubina Asif and many district officers were also present on the occasion.
The meeting was told cleanliness work on drains had started which is being supervised and inspected by Ms Rubina Asif.
Ms Asif told the meeting that cleanliness work on rainwater drains had started in three district municipal corporations and she herself was supervising the work regularly.
Commissioner Karachi said district officers should activate Sindh Solid Waste Management Board as well for cleaning storm water drains so that waste could be dumped properly. All the relevant organizations should mobilize their staff and start cleaning all kinds of water drains on emergency basis.
“Completing pre-natural disaster arrangements are the first priority of the government, therefore all the organizations should perform their part of duties on time so that by the passage of time the organizations and citizens do not face difficulty,” he said.
Siddiqui said due to dilapidated situation of the drains and blockades, the stagnant water enters streets and houses after which filthiness grips the city which results in spread of deadly diseases.
He further directed that all the deputy commissioners should visit their areas and supervise cleaning of drains.