The Capital Development Authority (CDA) with the gigantic infrastructure has failed to plug two stench-emitting choked gutters at the Blue Area, close to a newspaper office, some other private offices and a restaurant. The problem persists for more than two weeks, reflecting 'efficiency' of the department.
Nauseating smell makes it difficult for the pedestrians and motorists to pass by it. Countless telephonic complaints and an application filed with the Sanitation Department failed to shake the sleepy wing of the CDA to do the needful.
The image captured by our photographer shows the two power installations close to the choked gutters and road flooded with dirty water. This state of affairs can lead to a major mishap any time.
More than two weeks ago, these gutters started overflowing. Anticipating the mess, the CDA's Sanitation Department was approached several times, but to no avail.
"We have approached the concerned department several times, but no one simply bothers to come to rectify the situation," the manager of a nearby restaurant complained.
However, he said over a dozen CDA men once visited the restaurant, promising to fix the problem. They dug up the Service Road to find out where the problem actually lied. To the shock of all and sundry, they left the dug up road and covers of the gutters lying there.
After their departure last week, no one again came to see whether or not the desperately-needed action was taken.
The result is that the problem is very much there and has further compounded with polluted water, creeping to uneven embankments and parking lot.
One feels rattled while parking his car in the affected vicinity with air filled with highly stinking smell.
It is understood that indirectly, these men demanded gratification for doing the job for which they are paid by the CDA. The question here arises, if this low cadre CDA employees has such an arrogant attitude towards their official duty, what one may expected from a senior officer?
Through interviews, it was learnt that the CDA's lethargic attitude is the main reason of such complaints piling up. In fact, they don't have a proper system to register complaints and then get these addressed and duly verified by the officers concerned.
No one from the officers' cadre takes pains to come out of their cozy office to visit the affected locality or area to supervise the problem being resolved or a situation being rectified. This is a common hypothesis.
The CDA, on the other hand, has a strong argument to defend its men. A senior official contended that had the department been lethargic and its employees corrupt, Islamabad would have not been as clean and tidy as it is.
He said that all complaints are properly entertained after their entry in a register as per the filing of a complaint. How far this statement is correct needs time for a debate.
Earlier last month, due to polluted water spreading all around, power system of one of the three installations was tripped. However, fortunately it caused no loss of life or property.
It is beyond one's comprehension that why such small problems are not addressed? Why the CDA charges from Islamabad people if gutters are to remain overflowing for weeks and sewerage system choked? Has the CDA any logical, not a bureaucratic, answer to these questions... perhaps not!
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