The recent tragic incident near Nipa where a three year old child fell into an unmarked pothole and lost his life has once again exposed the dangerous and careless state of Karachi’s roads. Such heartbreaking loss is not an accident, it is the result of years of negligence, unplanned construction and complete absence of safety measures.
University Road, one of the city’s main academic routes, has long been rendered a construction zone due to the ongoing Red Line BRT project and various utility works. Footpaths are broken, crossings are blocked and deep ditches filled with debris make it extremely unsafe for pedestrians. Students walking to universities and colleges risk injury every day as they navigate mud, stones and unprotected pits.
Public transport has become unreliable, with buses taking long detours and rickshaw fares increasing sharply. Many students arrive late to classes or miss them entirely. Even emergency vehicles get stuck in the poorly managed traffic caused by incomplete construction and constant diversions. The road looks more like a worksite than a public route, with hardly any warning signs, barriers or organised supervision.
The authorities must understand that such mismanagement is not merely an inconvenience, it endangers lives. Development is important, but without planning, coordination and safety precautions, it becomes a threat rather than of a benefit. Proper signage, protected pedestrian pathways and timely completion of existing projects are urgently needed.
Nafisa Younus
Karachi
