KARACHI:
Karachi has around 165 pedestrian bridges built to protect citizens from heavy traffic. Today, due to official neglect and lawlessness, many of these structures have become impassable. This turns them into a major cause of accidents by forcing people to walk directly into oncoming traffic.
Across the city, poor maintenance is creating serious risks. On Rashid Minhas Road, for instance, pedestrian bridges have missing steps and stolen metal sidebars, as scrap thieves cut away safety grills for profit. Without protective railings or proper steps at such heights, a single slip can cause a fatal incident, especially for children.
At the same time, bridges like the one at Dalmia on National Stadium Road have been occupied by homeless individuals and drug addicts. Because of this uncomfortable and unhygienic environment, women and children avoid the walkways altogether and risk their lives by running across the fast-moving roads below.
Adding to the danger, motorcyclists openly ride across bridges on Shahrah-e-Faisal, particularly between the Nursery and Baloch Colony flyovers, to avoid U-turns and save fuel. Sloped ramps meant for wheelchairs, strollers, and the elderly are being misused as illegal bike shortcuts, forcing pedestrians to dodge motorcycles even on elevated walkways.
While these specific locations highlight the crisis, a single citizen cannot inspect the entire city. The Sindh government, KMC and traffic police must launch an immediate, city-wide inspection of every pedestrian bridge in Karachi. Authorities need to repair broken steps, replace stolen safety grills, clear the walkways and install barriers to block motorcycles before more lives are lost.
Samar Nazir
Karachi
