Cleaning of drains kicks off in 'proper manner'.

KARACHI -- Cleaning of 38 big drains of Karachi started on Thursday under the World Bank's Competitive and Liveable City of Karachi project, better known as CLICK.

Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar inaugurated the campaign that began from Mehmoodabad and would be completed within 45 days with a cost of $8 million.

Local Government SecreAtary Roshan Ali Shaikh, senior director coordination Masood Alam and other officials concerned were also present on the occasion.

The LG minister said that blockage of drains was a major issue and efforts were being made to resolve this problem with the assistance of the World Bank.

He said that the National Engineering Services Pakistan (Nespak) had also been included in the project to ensure removal of garbage from drains and its shifting to landfill sites.

Nasir Shah said that billions of rupees had been spent on drains' cleanliness in the past, but the required results could not be achieved. 'This time we'll try to ensure the work is done in a proper manner,' he added.

Mayor Akhtar said that the city's municipal administration had informed Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and the LG minister about the blockage of drains which were full of garbage. 'Storm-water drains have now been converted into sewerage drains,' he added.

Mr Akhtar said that heavy rains were predicted in the city and the current situation was very...