KARACHI:On the directives of Administrator Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab, cleaning of 41 big and 514 small rain drains of Karachi has been started.

Drains are being cleaned at 21 places simultaneously in different areas while the process of cleaning small drains is also in process to ensure that rain water does not accumulate on the roads.

According to the details, with the completion of tender process for cleaning of drains, cleaning of large storm drains has been started with heavy machinery and trained labor. According to Senior Director Municipal Services Mazhar Khan, the process of cleaning drains is underway at 21 places in Karachi on Tuesday.

In these drains included Kalri nullah, Picture nullah, Soldier Bazar nulla, PIDC Bridge nullah, a nullah passing behind Sindh Assembly are being cleaned. In Central District, 7000 Road nullah, Nagan Chowrangi, 14-B nullah, Qalandaria nullah are being cleaned.

In District West and Kemari, drains are being cleaned at Kabadri Chowk Baldia Town, Musharraf Colony Five Thousand Quarters, Sikandarabad, Jackson Market and Baba Bhatt Island.

In East District, Tipu Sultan nullah, PAF Base Shara Faisal, Umar Colony while in Malir drains are being cleaned at Cattle Colony, Mehran Highway, Falak Naz. Meanwhile, Zero Point Chakra Goth and Azeempura nullahs are being cleaned in Korangi District. Mehran cut drain is also being cleaned in the district council. The process of cleaning will continue on daily basis and a separate team has been formed to monitor it.

Wahab has directed the contractors for cleaning the drains that they will be responsible for next three months and in case of any complaint, their arrears will be stopped.

The Administrator Karachi directed the officers of Municipal Services that this is a very sensitive issue of the city and it is of utmost importance in rainy days. “Every effort should be made to complete the cleaning of drains as soon as possible and to ensure complete drainage in case of rains. After my arrival last year, the citizens did not face any problem regarding rain water and it was all a result of teamwork,” he said.

Wahab hoped that all the local bodies will show the same spirit this year too and will not fail in drainage of rain water.