06-10-2008, 04:16 PM
ALI CHEEMA, LAHORE
An open drain in the defence housing authority (DHA) Lahore is causing health problems to nearby residents. Originally planned to channel storm water, this drains is now, like the 16 odd other open drains in the city, a floating cesspool of raw and untreated sewerage. The drain that passes through the DHA, like all the other open drains in Lahore, easily offends. Not only that, since the noxious and toxic gases emitted by decomposing waste are well-known corrosives, the newspaper report reveals that the open drain is a constant source of attrition on any metal kept outdoors. No air-conditioner or, worse, generator, is safe!
But these things of the rich are not the only point to note. While all the concerned authorities agree that open drains are a nuisance and an environmental and health hazard, each one disclaimed any responsibility about doing anything about it. The DHA said that it was planning to do something about the drain. The DO SWM said WASA was responsible for brick lining the drains. The Managing Director WASA said that it was the SWM's responsibility to clean the solid waste dumped in the drains. It is about time that one of the above-mentioned officials took a stand to cover open drains.
http://thepost.com.pk/LetNews.aspx?dtlid=166066&catid=4
An open drain in the defence housing authority (DHA) Lahore is causing health problems to nearby residents. Originally planned to channel storm water, this drains is now, like the 16 odd other open drains in the city, a floating cesspool of raw and untreated sewerage. The drain that passes through the DHA, like all the other open drains in Lahore, easily offends. Not only that, since the noxious and toxic gases emitted by decomposing waste are well-known corrosives, the newspaper report reveals that the open drain is a constant source of attrition on any metal kept outdoors. No air-conditioner or, worse, generator, is safe!
But these things of the rich are not the only point to note. While all the concerned authorities agree that open drains are a nuisance and an environmental and health hazard, each one disclaimed any responsibility about doing anything about it. The DHA said that it was planning to do something about the drain. The DO SWM said WASA was responsible for brick lining the drains. The Managing Director WASA said that it was the SWM's responsibility to clean the solid waste dumped in the drains. It is about time that one of the above-mentioned officials took a stand to cover open drains.
http://thepost.com.pk/LetNews.aspx?dtlid=166066&catid=4