KARACHI:
Construction is often hailed as a symbol of progress. When new roads are built, people naturally expect smoother travel, safer commutes and better connectivity. Yet, not every road fulfills this promise. The road from Maskan to IBA, though seemingly impressive at first, exposes deep flaws when studied critically.
The stretch begins with four gates, but hardly two are in proper use. One has been walled off while another is choked by rickshaws. Both sides of the road are fenced, but no pedestrian walkway has been provided. As a result, people walk fearfully along the edge, inches away from speeding cars. In modern urban design, pedestrian safety is central; here, it has been ignored altogether, turning a road into a risk.
The wide strip in the middle, supposedly reserved for a green belt, adds another layer of uncertainty. If trees are planted, underground pipelines may be damaged. If nothing is planted, the divider becomes wasted land. This design reflects confusion rather than foresight.
Even traffic management suffers from poor planning. Dividers with arbitrary cuts, and a red chain hanging directly in front of the IBA gate, disrupt the natural flow. Worse still, no proper U-turns exist, forcing vehicles into long detours that waste time and fuel. The unusually high speed breakers further frustrate drivers; unless cars crawl over them, their undersides hit the bumps. Instead of safety, they cause damage and discomfort.
But perhaps the most telling contrast lies not in the road itself, but in what it connects. On one side stands IBA, modern and polished, a showcase of privilege and resources. On the other side lies Karachi University, once the intellectual crown of the city, now marked by neglect — broken roads, decaying structures and diminishing facilities. Two institutions share the same ground, yet exist in separate worlds: one ascending, the other declining.
This disparity raises a crucial question: is progress meant for all, or reserved for a few? The Maskan-IBA road is more than a flawed piece of infrastructure; it is a mirror reflecting unequal priorities in our education and governance.
Dr Intikhab Ulfat
Karachi
