Cleanliness, water supply, drainage problems irking people

HYDERABAD: Sindh Minister for Rural Development, Zubair Ahmed Khan has said that cleanliness, water supply and drainage problems were continuously growing in the urban areas of Hyderabad, disappointing the citizens.

"It seems that after abolition of the local government system Hyderabad's civic issues have been totally neglected," the Minister observed while chairing a meeting of officials at Commissioner's office here on Tuesday.

Warning the officials of stern disciplinary action if they did not improve their performance, Zubair Khan said that the problems being faced by the citizens had been brought into the knowledge of Sindh Governor.

The Minister directed the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) officials to address the water supply and sewerage problems, especially the lalter whose accumulation on roads destroys the infrastructure causing difficulties for the people in moving through them.

Zubair Khan also ordered the Building Control Authority officers to stop the illegal construction of high rise buildings.

Managing Director of WASA Saleemuddin Qureshi apprised the meeting about the financial constraints being faced by the agency.

He said that WASA had proposed four drainage schemes for City taluka and six for Latifabad which await approval of the provincial government.

Special Secretary to Sindh Governor, Aftab Ahmed Khatri, who also served as District Administrator of Hyderabad, asked WASA to give in writing the issues which impede their optimal performance.

MPAs Akram Adil, Suhail Yousuf, Waseem Hussain, Deputy Commissioner of Hyderabad Asif Ali Memon and other officials also attended the meeting.