KARACHI: Residents of Defence View and nearby areas, along with students and commuters using Shaheed-i-Millat Expressway, are struggling with the stench of garbage dumped along the Malir riverbank. The piles, managed by the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) at GTS Imtiaz, release dust, toxic gases, and harmful fumes affecting daily life.
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The GTS Imtiaz serves as a temporary transfer point for waste collected from district East before being moved to landfill sites. Locals argue that the station should have been established on the city outskirts, as its current location disrupts residential areas and the entrance to the Defence Housing Authority. Birds, flies, and an unhygienic environment further add to the residents’ concerns.
According to WHO and UN-Habitat guidelines, transfer stations should use sealed containers to prevent odours and health hazards. Open-air storage produces harmful gases and increases the risk of diseases, particularly for children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions. The ATSDR notes that decomposing waste releases methane, ammonia, and hydrogen sulphide, causing respiratory issues, nausea, and headaches.
Residents and students described difficulties coping with the smell, dust, and reduced visibility during garbage transfers. Some families have even relocated due to health risks. Students highlighted that garbage movements sometimes affect the university campus, making classrooms uncomfortable. Local shopkeepers noted hygiene risks as flies gather over exposed food.
SSWMB Managing Director Tariq Ali Nizamani said the GTS Imtiaz is being modernised into a covered facility, expected to be completed by early next year. Eight guards have been deployed to prevent burning of waste, and safety measures like water bowsers have been stationed to address fire hazards from methane gas.
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Residents continue to demand that transfer stations be relocated or upgraded according to health and environmental standards to reduce pollution and improve living conditions.