Residents of Clifton and Defence, alongside the Jamaat-e-Islami, plan to approach the Sindh High Court on Friday.
The petition will request the protection of the canal’s natural waterway and the establishment of proper drainage systems to prevent urban flooding during heavy rainfall. On 26 October, the Local Government Department requested guidance from the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency regarding the environmental approvals necessary for the project.
Rasha Tariq of the Clifton Residents Committee claimed that workers continued construction around the clock despite assurances provided by the provincial government. Tariq also alleged that three drains constructed along the canal could worsen flooding and noted that homes were flooded last year after one of the drains was built.
The resident committee member argued that the potential impact on drainage should have been assessed before construction commenced and stated that concrete structures could alter the canal's natural configuration, restricting its water capacity. Tariq urged for separate pipelines for sewage disposal and requested that officials leave the remaining part of the canal unobstructed to maintain its natural drainage function.
Residents have demanded that the government release the project's approved engineering design, maps, PC-I, total cost, and other technical documents and relevant approvals. The Clifton Neighbourhood Association previously wrote to the chief minister to demand a halt to construction and the restoration of the canal's natural condition.
