Quetta Commissioner Directs Comprehensive Plan for Removal of Encroachments and Cleaning of Stormwater Drains
**Quetta (Daily Qudrat Quetta):**
Quetta Division Commissioner Shahzaib Khan Kakar conducted a detailed inspection of several stormwater drains across Quetta city and directed the concerned departments to formulate a comprehensive strategy for the removal of encroachments and effective cleaning of rainwater channels.
During the inspection, he was accompanied by Director Development Quetta Division Zahoor Ahmed, Executive Engineer Irrigation Jaleel Ahmed, along with officers and engineers of relevant departments. The commissioner inspected various sections of the main city drain, including Meezan Chowk, Zarghoon Road, Jail Road Hadda, University Drain, Lodkariz Drain, and Kachi Baig Drain. He was briefed on the condition of drain cleaning, illegal encroachments, occupations, and ongoing repair projects.
Commissioner Shahzaib Khan Kakar stated that most of Quetta’s stormwater drains have lost their original capacity due to garbage dumping, encroachments, and illegal occupations, causing severe obstruction to rainwater flow. He noted that as a result, rainwater often enters nearby residential areas, leading to hardship and financial losses for citizens.
He further highlighted that dumping of waste into stormwater drains by the public has become a serious issue, frequently resulting in blockages that require heavy machinery and additional expenditure to clear. He stressed that public awareness and responsibility are essential to address this problem.
The commissioner directed that a comprehensive plan be prepared to remove encroachments and illegal occupations from all stormwater drains in the city. He instructed authorities to conduct proper surveys to determine the extent of encroachments, followed by a phased and lawful strategy to clear the drains.
He also ordered the immediate acceleration of cleaning operations across all stormwater drains to prevent any emergency situations during the upcoming rainy season. Additionally, he directed that projects for the permanent lining and improvement of stormwater drains be included in the PSDP of the next financial year to ensure a long-term solution to the issue.
