KARACHI: The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has approved a major neighbourhood-level plan to improve basic city services. Under the new decision, all 246 union committees (UCs) in Karachi will receive an extra Rs100,000 per month, adding up to nearly Rs300 million a year, for the exclusive maintenance of manhole covers and streetlights.
The move comes after strong public anger over the recent incident in which a three-year-old boy drowned in an open drain near NIPA.
Speaking to Private Media , Mayor Murtaza Wahab said this financial support does not mean the city government is stepping back from its duties. “The KWSC will continue providing manhole covers, and the KMC will continue fixing streetlights. This money is only to help UCs maintain them regularly,” he explained.
He said every UC was already receiving Rs1.2 million per month, increased recently from Rs500,000. Under the new summary approved on Monday, each UC will now get an additional Rs100,000 every month specifically for manhole covers and streetlight repairs.
Mayor: UCs Being Financially Empowered
Mayor Wahab said the step is aimed at giving UCs more financial strength to respond quickly to local issues. Although manhole covers come from both the KWSC and KMC, he said more support was necessary to prevent accidents and improve safety.
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An official said KMC will now disburse Rs24.6 million every month to 246 UCs for this purpose. The total yearly amount will reach around Rs300 million.
He added that the KWSC has already informed towns and UCs to ensure smooth supply of manhole covers. The mayor has also launched helpline 1334 and email [email protected] for citizens to report any open manholes.
First Such Move Since 2023
This is the first direct financial intervention by the KMC at the UC level since the current local government system began in June 2023. Until now, the KMC had been managing such tasks mainly through departmental coordination instead of giving funds directly to UCs.
The decision follows widespread criticism after the NIPA tragedy, which highlighted weak civic maintenance across the city. However, authorities have not announced any monitoring system to ensure UCs properly use the funds.
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The new allocation will come from the Municipal Utility Charges and Taxes (MUCT) account. The KMC expects to generate Rs4 billion annually from the MUCT, which is collected through K-Electric bills.
Officials say the funds will help UCs respond more quickly to complaints, improve neighbourhood infrastructure and strengthen municipal services.
Mayor Wahab said he hopes the step will prevent such “unfortunate incidents” in future and ensure that local issues are resolved quickly.
“The safety and well-being of Karachi’s people is our top priority,” he said. “This initiative is another step toward a safer, cleaner and better-managed city.”
