Cleaning of storm-water drains: all DMCs of Karachi facing acute shortage of funds, SWC told

Almost all the District Municipal Corporations (DMCs) of Karachi are facing acute shortage of funds, which may affect the cleaning of storm water drains before the rainy season, Sindh Water Commission (SWC) was informed here on Wednesday.
The Supreme Court-appointed commission being headed by former Justice Amir Hani Muslim is mandated to look into the affairs of provision of clean drinking water, cleaning of nullahs, treatment of solid & water waste etc. The tenure of the commission formed in February this year has been extended to January 2019 by Supreme Court recently.
In today's proceedings, the commission was informed that The DMCs in consultation with respective deputy commissioners have identified the trouble spots and worked out their demands for funds. These demands would be sent to Secretary Local Government Sindh to allocate the funds on urgent basis to carry out the cleaning of storm water drains.
Justice Hani directed Secretary Local Government Sindh to allocate the funds on urgent basis to DMCs to start the work. He also ordered for putting in place a joint monitoring mechanism by DMCs and deputy commissioners for judicious utilization of funds. "A weekly performance report should be submitted with the commission," he stated.
The cleaning of storm water drains is in pursuance of directives of Supreme Court, which were issued last weekend when a larger bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar took up the issue of cleaning of storm water drains in the city.
During the proceedings in apex court at Karachi Registry, the SC directed Mayor Karachi to complete the exercise of cleaning of storm water drains in one month.
There are 38 larger nullahs, which fall under the domain of Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC), whereas, there are more than 550 smaller (feeder) nullahs under the jurisdiction of various DMCs, which fall in the bigger nullahs.
The commission was informed that the entire exercise will not bear fruits until all DMCs clear their drains as well. There are six DMCs in Karachi - Central, West, East, South, Korangi & Malir.