The civic authorities concerned are yet to come out of their deep slumber to desilt the nullah passing through Fazal Town Phase-1. Residents say that foul smell emanating from the nullah has made living a real hell.
“It has become difficult for us as the foul smell continuously emanates from the nullah. We demand that the nullah where it is open should be covered from the top so as to restrain the people from the throwing the garbage and other material,” says Asim Ali, living in the area.
“The nullah cannot be covered completely as then it will be difficult to clean it and if desilting is done with machines it can break the concrete bed, allowing the water to contaminate underground drinking water,” says Rifat Hasan from the civic body.
“Due to open drain at some points the overflow of waters in the area during heavy rains cannot be prevented, resultantly, it enters the houses. Every year the rainwater gets accumulated on the road and starts flowing on it, damaging the road to a great extent. I urge the civic authorities to take action to save residents the inconvenience of water logging and rain water entering into their houses, damaging household goods,” says Mohib Haider from the area.
“Nullah Leh which is as old as the city winds through intricate lanes of the city. It was constructed to drain out excess rain water. The system worked remarkably well for some time, but in the past few years, it has surrendered to the enormous pressure of sewage flowing into it. Not only has it become an eyesore, but the pungent smell emanating from it has made life miserable for scores of residents living near it,” says Ghayur Ali, who lives there.
Shabbir Hussain, another resident, says: “It is also surprising that in spite of technological advancement in all fields, an issue which concerns almost half the city’s population is yet to be addressed in a proper and efficient manner.”
Both parties conveniently put the blame to each other. The civic authorities accuse the public of regularly throwing garbage, especially plastic bags, in the nullah. The residents accuse the civic authorities of not carrying out desisting and cleaning of the drain.
Residents along the nullah and the civic authorities have to take the blame for the present problem. While the civic authorities have failed to provide proper cleaning system of the drain, the residents have not helped matters by throwing garbage and other waste in the nullah, causing blockage at several places.
Mateen Haider, a senior citizen, remembers that decades ago, the nullah was so clean that one could spot a coin on its bed. A number of other residents said: “It has become difficult for them to live near it as sharp pungent smell surrounds them day and night.”
Nasir Hussain, a staff member of the civic body, says: “The issue of nullah is a grave problem and cannot be solved by our efforts alone. We have been regularly cleaning the nullah but residents have not cooperated with us. They do not stop throwing plastic bags in the drain. The waste flowing down from Shah Khalid Colony also chokes it.”
“The open nullah near my house emits a foul smell and very often people are seen keeping a distance while passing through. How long will we be forced to live with the nauseating stench,” says Sajid Ali, who runs a shop in the Butt Market.