Road to rubble: ‘Premier’ Karachi varsity falling apart

Insufficient funds, misappropriation and ‘lax’ administrative cadre often blamed for woes

KARACHI: Karachi University – “unarguably the most renowned academic institution of Pakistan” is falling apart – literally (sic).

Cratered roads, poor security standards, dilapidated buildings, leaking water lines and an antiquated sewerage system are just some of the many challenges confronting the thousands frequenting the “premier” varsity. Insufficient funds, misappropriation and a ‘lax’ administrative cadre are often blamed for varsity woes. An annual non-developmental grant exceeding rupees five billion goes towards clearing departmental expenses, salaries and benefits.

Potholed roads are a common sight across the 1,400-acre campus. The dismal state of a road connecting the boys’ hostel to the visual studies department is representative of this. The thoroughfare resembles one massive sinkhole virtually impossible to traverse. Many chose to avoid the road altogether and proceed on foot.

Garbage randomly strewn across campus. PHOTO: SAFDAR RIZVI/EXPRESS

Similarly, a road from the Applied Economics Research Centre to the mass communication department is more of an impediment than a carriageway. While part of the road in the centre’s vicinity has been repaired by the varsity, the remainder remains in a shambles. Those frequenting the department have no option but to proceed at snail’s pace given what confronts them.

To say that reaching the commerce department from Maskan Gate is difficult would be an understatement. All those proceeding from Point Terminal to the foundation and genetics departments have before them in name of a road is one great ditch.

The gravity of the situation is compounded by an ‘idle administration’ yet to exhibit even fleeting interest. A cursory examination of its performance reveals little progress over a year-and-a-half.

The varsity sewerage system remains an enigma, originating and concluding at will. Its origin remains ‘unknown’. The ‘main’ empties itself on university grounds.

Wall in a shambles. PHOTO: SAFDAR RIZVI/EXPRESS

Facilities constructed in the tenure of former vice chancellor Pirzada Qasim were not connected in form of a network. Instead, massive tanks were built near buildings where wastewater was left to accumulate untreated.

Flats constructed in the aforementioned VC’s time remain largely unoccupied. Poor maintenance standards have left the apartments unfit for habitation.

Not a single footpath has been constructed since the varsity’s founding. Pedestrians walk on roads given the absence of such thoroughfares.

Department buildings are at nature’s mercy. Ceilings often leak leaving wiring to malfunction. Overhead water tanks, left forgotten for long, have caused many to collapse.

A similar fate has befallen university accommodation and residences. Seepage is common. Walls have caved in. Plaster has peeled off. Bricks stand exposed. Swift action is needed to avert imminent collapse.

The Boys’ Hostel is sordid. First floor toilets are lined with garbage and broken fittings. The entire building does not boast a single working (Lahori) room cooler. A paltry Rs14,000-grants keeps the hostel ‘running’. Many one-time students continue to overstay. Dozens of residents are not even enrolled.

A dilapidated electric sub-station near Department of Mathematics. PHOTO: SAFDAR RIZVI/EXPRESS

Sports infrastructure is in dire straits. The Valika Cricket Ground, gymnasium, hockey field and tennis courts remain desolate. A grass field that once saw legends practice is now used by students to study in shade. The gymnasium is used for ‘extracurricular activities’.

The varsity lacks a proper waste-disposal system. Garbage is dumped and torched across sites campus-wide.

Below-par security standards remain in place. Over two dozen of 32 CCTV cameras are out-of-order. Headway on this account is unlikely with company arrears not having been cleared. Footage is not monitored as a command and control centre has ceased operating.

Trespassing is common with parts of the varsity boundary wall in a shambles. Untrimmed vegetation on University Road presents another hazard, especially for junior varsity employees.

Land grabbing continues unchecked. Varsity land in the vicinity of PCSIR Laboratories Complex has been grabbed. Structures have been raised before a KU entry point in the area. Unauthorised nurseries have been established on land lying vacant and no steps have been taken to look into the matter. The Hussain Ebrahim Jamal Research Institute of Chemistry continues to ‘encroach’ on varsity land. No no-objection certificate has been obtained on this account.

A staff washroom. PHOTO: SAFDAR RIZVI/EXPRESS

KU Registrar Majid Mumtaz told The Express Tribune the Sindh Government had approved Rs200 million to remedy the varsity’s sewerage woes. He said work would commence as soon as the funds were released. Mumtaz said the administration had been striving to revamp roads despite paucity of funds. The KU spokesperson said the CCTV network was being revamped. A hefty sum has already been allocated, he said. Additional developmental work will follow the approval of a PC-1, Mumtaz said. Proceedings will be initiated against those involved in grabbing varsity land, he said.

Illegal construction on varsity land. PHOTO: SAFDAR RIZVI/EXPRESS