by: Abdul Rahim Khan Ghouri:
Residents of North Karachi Sector 5E are urgently calling for action to cover 40 to 50 open manholes in their area. Despite the arrival of Eid-ul-Fitr, no progress has been made by the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) or local officials to address this serious safety concern.
Open Manholes Pose Serious Safety Risks
The uncovered manholes in Sector 5E are causing increasing accidents and injuries among citizens. Many lids are missing, creating dangerous situations, especially for pedestrians and vehicles. Residents fear that without immediate action, more incidents will occur.
Citizens’ Concerns Ignored on Social Media
A resident voiced their frustration on the official Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation’s (KWSC) new social media page after seeing videos and pictures highlighting the issue. However, comments were quickly removed, and the comment section was disabled, leaving residents feeling unheard and ignored.
Accountability Questioned
The community questions the performance of the Karachi Water & Sewerage Board’s CEO and local authorities, including the XEN officer of North Karachi and the Chairman of UC-8 Faisal. Despite repeated requests, no official has taken responsibility or acted to fix the open manholes.
Past Issues Highlight Ongoing Neglect
This is not the first time Sector 5E has faced sewerage problems. In 2020, the area was submerged in dirty water due to poor sewer management. After media attention, cleanup efforts improved the situation temporarily. However, the current problem of open manholes remains unresolved.
Call for Transparent Communication and Action
Residents demand that KWSC use its platforms not just to showcase achievements but also to listen to public concerns. They urge the authorities to restore the comment section, address safety issues promptly, and ensure timely maintenance of sewer infrastructure.
