HAFIZABAD The City

Health, cleanliness problems in Hafizabad
From Syed Muhammad Zamir
HAFIZABAD: People are facing serious health and cleanliness problems here as the city has become a pond of stagnant rainwater and sewage, thanks to negligence on the part of tehsil municipal administration (TMA).
A large number of nullahs are not being cleaned for many months. As a result, rainwater and sewage have gathered in the city streets in various localities.
Residents of Mohallah Misri Khan, Mohallah Bahawalpura, Bijli Mohallah, Ghari Awan, Peer Kale Shah, Hussainpura, Rehmat Abad and Kashmir Nagar etc., could not go out of their houses and the city streets and roads present the scene of a pond.
There are no sweepers in various city localities, and even those getting salaries are not performing their duties. Heaps of garbage could be seen in various localities, which have become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and flies and spreading diseases among the locals. No spray is being carried for killing these mosquitoes and flies.
Almost all roads have been dilapidated, but no authorities are paying any attention to reconstruct them. The manholes are without covers and sewage keeps overflowing all the time.
When contacted, the TMA officers said there were shortage of sweepers and sanitary workers in the city. They claimed that efforts were being made for improving cleanliness system in the city. However, they said lack of funds was a major problem facing the TMA.
People have demanded Gujranwala commissioner and other authorities of the Punjab government to pay attention to their plight, release funds and improve cleanliness and health conditions in the city.