KARACHI: Due to stagnant rainwater in the Site Industrial Area of Karachi, the factory workers and industrialists are facing difficulties in reaching their workplaces while the delivery of export goods and raw material has been badly affected, PPI learnt Thursday.

The industrialists have demanded of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab to take notice of the situation and take effective steps to drain out the rainwater from the Site area and ensured the repair of damaged roads. The street crimes, accidents and electrocution incidents have also increased in the area due to rainwater accumulation as the authorities seems to be negligent to dispose of it.

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah and Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab could not take steps to clean the mess. Due to rainwater, the supply of raw materials to industries as well as the delivery of export goods to the ports are being badly affected following which the delivery of export orders are likely to be delayed.

“Effective arrangements should be made for drainage of rainwater from the Site area on an emergency basis so that the production activities can continue uninterrupted,” said President of Site Association of Industry Karachi, Abdul Rasheed.

Despite the forecast of rain, no effective measures were taken to drain out the water, he said and added due to lack of sanitation, the drains are blocked and rain water accumulates on the roads and streets.

Rasheed questioned: “More than two feet of rainwater is standing at the gate of the factories, how can the industrialists and workers enter the factories?”

The potholes have made it difficult for vehicles to pass, while the incidents of vehicle overturning and electrocution have also increased. There is need to ensure the drainage of rain water, otherwise, if the rainwater is not removed from the Site area, the supply of raw materials to the industries, including the delivery of export goods to the ports, will be completely stopped.