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Labourers Hit by Sewage Overflow in Sonapur Areas

DUBAI - Thousands of labourers housed in Sonapur areas have had to wade through pools of sewage water outside their camps and on roads to go to the work sites and return.

Most of the roads in Sonapur Industrial Area that houses mostly labourers have been flooded with sewage water, spreading unbearable stench and posing health hazards to the people.

Even though the Dubai Municipality had repeatedly warned the companies of stringent action for failing to clear the sewage on time, many companies have ignored it, Khaleej Times has learned.

Labourers said sewage has not been collected from different camps on time and eventually it accumulates and overflows from the tanks to the roads.

“It’s a difficult task to get out of the camp and return. All the roads are flooded with sewage water. Everyday, we have to wade through, sometimes, knee-deep water,” said Muhammed Ali, an Indian labourer.

“The recent rain has made the situation worse. We hope the authorities will do something to solve the problem,” he added.

Murukesan, another labourer, said, “The accumulated sewage has made our life miserable. Though buses come to pick us up, we have to negotiate the water to reach the buses. We have complained to our company several times but it has not done anything.”

An official of a construction company, that houses its employees in the area, said on condition of anonymity that the tankers have been reluctant to come and collect the sewage because of the long queues at Al Aweer Treatment Plant.

“They told us that they cannot make enough trips a day because of the long queues and that they cannot do much about it as the authorities should find a solution.” Sources at the municipality repeat that steps are being taken to end the practice of not collecting the sewage on time. They claimed the municipality is doing its best to end the problem once and for all.

As one of the steps, the civic body has called for a tenfold hike in fine against camp owners for failing to keep them clean and hygienic, Salem bin Mesmar, Assistant Director-General for Health, Safety and Environment Control, told Khaleej Times.

“At present, the fine is Dh1,000. It will be increased to Dh10,000 soon. The owners have to ensure that their labour camps are clean and the sewage tankers are emptied everyday. Most of them don’t take this responsibility seriously enough and a hike in the penalty is essential,” he said

The officials said dumping of raw sewage in the open is a reason. “The municipality has fined many violating tankers up to Dh100,000 as well as proposing deportation of the drivers indulging in this practice.

“The temporary lagoon being built for the tankers in Lehbab area will be ready by the end of this month. It will help tankers to dispose of waste swiftly. Time will not be wasted at the Al Awir Treatment Plant,” officials said.

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