Where does Karachi’s garbage go?

KARACHI: There has to be a reason for garbage dumps that ply the streets of this megalopolis.

Geo News investigated. Companies operating landfill sites in the city have refused to take more garbage over non-payment of dues by the government.

Garbage in Karachi ends up at two landfill sites: Gond Pass and Jam Chakro.

The city produces over 12000 tonnes of garbage every day. Of this only 4000 tonnes ends up at landfill sites. The rest of it is burned at empty plots, grounds, parks and roadsides.

The city's municipal authority Karachi Metropolitan Corporation officials understand the problem but lament lack of resources. “We face acute shortage of funds. How can we pay Rs200 million to these landfill site?” an official at KMC said.

The official added that KMC has already written a letter to the Sindh Government demanding payment of dues.

The newly appointed Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had given a three-day deadline to KMC workers to clean the city of garbage dumps.

The first deadline expired today but garbage still plies the streets.

Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday night visited various areas of Karachi where he reprimanded officials after witnessing garbage and rainwater accumulated on roads.

He warned officials of dismissal from their jobs in case they didn't start discharging their duties properly.

Unless a proper system of garbage disposal and recycling is put in place it seems that garbage in Karachi is here to stay, not-for-profit organizations like Shehri claim.