HYDERABAD, June 16: Potholed and dug-up roads, dark and narrow streets, non-functioning fire tenders, haphazard construction and encroachments on main roads, streets and government land, are the main features that characterise Qasimabad with no visible efforts by taluka municipal administration to rectify things.

Most of the issues require serious attention of TMA Qasimabad headed by Taluka Nazim Noor Mohammad Shoro. Encroachment on public streets, roads and land is so widespread that in one case entire road and public passage have been occupied by encroachers in Waqar Town while TMA appears helpless against the illegal occupants.

It is learnt that provincial ombudsman had taken serious notice of the problem and also given his ruling directing the administration to remove encroachments from roads in the area.

The encroachers are reportedly negotiating with the TMA for some other option but the matter is still unresolved. Widespread encroachments on roads have defaced Waqar Town, Marvi Town, Phase-II where only a narrow space has been left for people to pass.“In some cases the encroachers have built servant quarters on public streets,” said a TMA official, adding that the district administration did not offer them police assistance for removing encroachments.

Similarly, shopkeepers had allowed vendors to do business in front of their shops on the footpaths with no action by authorities concerned. High mast towers have been installed on the roads but without streetlights. The main road leading from Grid Station to Marvi Town doesn’t have a single light and the road itself is in a battered condition.

When the main roads do not have proper lights, what to mention of alleys in the inner pockets and localities of the taluka. A wide and long median of this road which can be developed into a green belt with tree plantation is in ruins.

There is a common complaint that garbage lifting machines do not lift garbage from all the union councils and of over 275 sweepers many evade duty.

Some public parks are in a shambles. They have no boundary walls and are full of wild grass. “Garbage lifting vehicles are driven by private drivers of Taluka Municipal Officer (TMO) Irshad Shah while actual TMA drivers don’t perform duties. They draw salaries sitting at home. The fire brigade does not work,” said Mehboob Abro, nazim of UC-2 of Qasimabad.

He charged that the fuel allotted for the fire tenders was being misused and it was in the knowledge of TMA officials. “I haven’t seen taluka nazim in his office so to whom I should turn for solution of small issues of my area,” Abro lamented.

Recently, when a fire broke out near Hyderabad bypass, a fire tender had to be called from Latifabad but by the time it reached, damage had already been done in shape of burning of buffaloes and calf at a cattle pen.

Similar complaints were also received in past as well. TMA’s telephone number has been disconnected due to heavy outstanding dues and the administration has not so far got it restored.

The main road from Nasim Nagar Chowk to Sheedi Goth is in a bad shape and another road leading to Marvi Town from Nasim Nagar chowk is also in a shambles.

Taluka Nazim Noor Mohammad Shoro, who was elected in 2001, has been serving his second tenure but unfortunately, barring some big roads or sewerage plant projects launched by the district government, the TMA’s contribution in terms of development is not visible.

The roads and areas mentioned above have been in the same condition since 2001. In 2007 monsoon rains Sheedi Goth and Waqar Town had been completely inundated and people had to be rescued through boats, forcing district nazim to establish a sewerage plant and lay new drainage and sewerage lines in the areas. Work on the projects continues.

Taluka nazim mostly remains unavailable. He could not be reached for comments while Qasimabad TMO denied charges the drivers were sitting idle and drawing salaries at home. Vacancies for drivers were vacant and police help was needed for removing encroachments, he said.