KARACHI:
If you pass by Malir on your way to work, you will know just how terrible the traffic gridlocks occur in the area where two flyovers are under construction.
"It is really hard to regulate traffic on Malir Halt and Malir 15, especially during peak hours," said Malir traffic SSP Asghar Usman, while talking to The Express Tribune. These two spots in Malir are where two flyovers are being constructed since January this year.
"During our last meeting with the commissioner, we informed the officials about the traffic gridlocks on the main artery as we have limited resources to regulate traffic," SSP Usman said, adding that their men stand guard on alternative routes on both sides of the road. At least 20 police officials, including the traffic DSP, are deployed on the spot during peak hours, he pointed out.
In their rush to reach their destinations, people usually ignore the alternative routes provided, which worsens the traffic situation, said SSP Usman. "We request the people to use alternative routes and follow the directions given by the traffic officials so that the problem can be overcome," he added.
Construction stopped
The work on mega-million projects of Malir 15 and Malir Halt flyovers has been stopped since the project managers have yet to receive the funds allocated in the budget.
"It is most unfortunate that the Sindh government has not released the funds even though the traffic gridlocks affect the city's main artery, Sharae Faisal," said Karachi Metropolitan Corporation's works and services director Niaz Ahmed Soomro. People usually get stuck in traffic for as long as three hours every day, he added.
Commuters travelling to and from Quaidabad, Malir and Steel Town use this stretch of the road every day, he pointed out. "We demand the government to immediately release the funds so that the project can be completed on time otherwise it will take four or five months more," he said.
Recently, administrator Rauf Farooqui also visited the site of the two flyovers and directed the officials to speed up the development works. "We expected to obtain the funds after Eidul Azha but we are still waiting," said Farooqui.
Pointing out that they have asked the commissioner to also demand the funds, Farooqui said the department has asked the traffic police department to deploy more men to manage the traffic during peak hours. "This is only thing we can do at this time for the relief of the people," he added.
The two projects, worth nearly Rs1.5 billion, were designed to overcome the traffic problem on main Sharae Faisal. The construction began in January but it came to a halt for four months earlier due to resistance from residents and shopkeepers.
The issue was resolved and construction work began but it has been stopped again due to a lack of funds.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 17th, 2014.
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