Structures erected on highways increase risk of accidents
People look at the van damaged in collision with the bus which left 12 people dead on Old National Highway in Mirpurkhas on Wednesday. PHOTO: NNI
Over the past several decades, public and private institutions in Karachi have normalised the construction of statues and concrete structures on major highways. However, these thoughtless constructions, when erected on intersections, are known to create blind corners that risk collision cases.
Per an official of the Traffic Engineering Bureau, the construction of signal-free corridors had led to the removal of such structures to some extent, but various still remain littered around the city, “while some new structures are also in the works within the boundaries of multiple district municipal corporations,” he told.
It is alleged that these structures have been built without consulting the Traffic Engineering Bureau and the traffic police. Per a survey conducted by The Express Tribune, a majority of these constructions are centered around areas including Arts Council Chowrangi, Fawara Chowk, Haqqani Chowk, Amerali Street, Kishti Chowk Lyari, Cheel Chowk Lyari, Pakistan Chowk, Aath Chowk Lyari, Miran Naka, Spencer Eye Hospital, Teen Talwar Intersection, Do Talwar Intersection, Sunset Boulevard, Korangi Road, Akhtar Colony, Industrial Area Road, Brooks Chowrangi, Chamra Chowrangi, Beeta Chowrangi, 8 Hazar Korangi Road, Sehba Akhtar Road Gulshan Iqbal, Muhammad Ali Society Road, Power House Chowrangi North Karachi, Water Pump, Landi Kotal Road, Zia-ud-Din Hospital Chowrangi, Sir Syed College, Nawab Siddique Ali Khan Road, and Mukka Chowk Azizabad.
Speaking on conditions of anonymity, the Traffic Engineering Bureau official further revealed that the concerned management did not consult the bureau on most occasions before the construction of these structures. “If any consultation is ever sought, the Traffic Engineering Bureau warns the concerned authorities not to build these structures at the main intersections. If it is necessary to build a monument, it should be on the side of the road, its height should not exceed three feet and its design should be approved by the bureau,” said the official while explaining the building policies. He however added that the local administration has a habit of neglecting the traffic bureau’s advice, which has led to an increased number of road accident cases in the city. “All such structures should be immediately bulldozed,” he urged.
It appears that most existing structures like such are erected in District South and District East of the city. While a new structure is also under construction near Spencer’s Eye Hospital in District South. In this regard, The Express Tribune tried to contact District Municipal Corporation South’s Administrator Afshan Rubab at her office and on the phone, however, the officer bearer remained out of reach, both, in-person and on call.
When probed, District Municipal Corporation East’s Administrator Rehmat Sheikh however said that he has no authority to demolish these monuments. “There are no plans to build more structures, while those that are dilapidated are to be removed,” he told The Express Tribune.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2022.