Civic woes of Fazal Town Phase-I

Residents of Fazal Town Phase-I are demanding a solution to their long-pending civic woes. The project to construct an underground sewerage system by laying down a large pipeline to avoid water logging in the area still awaits initiation.

We wholeheartedly welcomed the initiative taken by the concerned department in Shah Khalid Colony regarding the issue of the abysmal condition of the sewerage system there. We were expecting the project would be extended to our area as well. Still, nothing happened,” complains Shijaat Hussain, a government employee. “Proper de-silting of storm water drain network is also need of the hour. The concerned department does not often properly clear the silt along the drains. Residents try to clear it on their own,” adds Shujaat.

“Water pipelines have been laid down in Fazal Town and nobody knows when the water will stop flowing down in these pipelines as tube wells often remain dysfunctional. We now depend on groundwater from bore wells and packaged drinking water for all our needs. Speedy completion of the new tube well project would help reduce water problems in our area,” says Mr. Fazal, an ex-air force man.

“Gas supply is also not available in the area. Residents use gas cylinders to prepare tea and cook food. Can you imagine the cool temperature of the house in the winter season without gas heaters,” says Tahira Abbas, a homemaker, from the area. “The tale of our street roads is also amazing. They have shaved and paved them on many occasions. Still, they are in poor condition. Even walking has become cumbersome. Interestingly, speed breakers are another nuisance. They are just disasters for the bikers and the motorists,” says Nasir Naqvi, also a resident of the area.

“Roads have not been re-laid after sewerage pipeline overhaul. I cannot understand why the repeated failures in such things as road repair do not elicit a continuous outcry and demand for heads to roll,” adds Nasir. “Something is very wrong here. There are not even sufficient garbage bins. Residents throw waste material on the streets or vacant plots even having boundaries. Unattended garbage strewn across streets poses a serious threat to the health of the citizens,” says Farhat Zaidi from Street III.

“Residents demand that the civic woes of the area be addressed immediately. Everything in the locality is in a mess as the projects undertaken here have not been well done,” says Soulat Raza, living in the same locality. Ali Rizvi, a constructor from the same area says, “It’s not fair to blame these things on the contractor and engineer. It is not even fair to blame it on them. The contractor is just following the contract and the engineer is just following the policy. Put your anger in the proper place and to good use.”