Downpours torment bikers, pedestrians

Although the breezy monsoon downpours might be seen as a blessing by those comfortably seated in a car, low-income locals travelling on two wheels or walking on two legs can only hope and pray for the rains to go away, as doubled prices of motorcycle repair parts and missing shade facilities torment them to their core.

For instance, Kainat, a student studying at a private university, revealed that she uses a motorcycle to commute to her college but the recent rainy spell had created a host of problems for her. “My motorcycle was damaged during the heavy rains since the water that had collected on the highway near the Gujjar drain went into its engine through the silencer. After I went to the nearest mechanic, I had to wait for two hours before my bike was fixed. The mechanic charged me Rs2,500 even though the work would usually cost Rs1,300,” complained Kainat.

Similarly, Furqan, a salesman, too had to get the engine of his motorcycle repaired after it malfunctioned during the recent monsoon spell. “I had to drag my faulty motorbike all the way from Isa Nagri to Gharibabad. The motorcycle mechanic told me that the plug of my motorcycle was damaged and the repair would cost a total of Rs700, which was double the amount that would be charged outside of the monsoon season,” riled Furqan.

“Motorcycles get easily damaged during the rainy days. Most of the work involves changing the brake shoes, plugs and plug caps. Therefore, an additional wage of Rs200 to Rs400 is charged in comparison to normal days,” said Babar, a motorcycle mechanic.

According to Adil, an auto parts dealer, the arrival of the monsoon season signalled a sharp increase in the prices of motorcycle plugs, grease, plug caps, brake shoes and mudguard tails among other parts since the demand for these paraphernalia spiked during the rains, which caused damage to motorcycles.

“In recent days, the prices of these parts have increased by 30 to 50 per cent. The prices of different types of plugs have increased from Rs100 to Rs250, grease boxes from Rs50 to Rs70, plug caps from Rs70 to Rs150, and brake shoes from Rs80 to Rs200,” disclosed Adil.

“The meteorological department has predicted more rain in Karachi in the next few days. The recent spell of rains has laid bare the performance of the provincial government and other related institutions. At different highways and streets, rainwater had accumulated for days, and the traffic was jammed. Moreover, a large number of people were seen looking for shelter to avoid the rain. In fact, many citizens were seen parking their cars or bikes under the bridges and waiting for the rain to stop. Sadly, there is no shelter in the public places of the city where citizens can stop to avoid the rain,” added Nasir Khan Yousafzai, a social worker.

“The establishment of shelters in Karachi during the rainy season is the need of the hour and if the bus stops are made functional, they too can serve as shelters,” commented Mubeen Ahmed, a rescue and relief services expert.

Speaking to the Express Tribune on the matter, a spokesperson for the Sindh Local Government Minister said, “The provincial and local governments are aware of the forecast of rains in Karachi and arrangements have been made with the relevant institutions to deal with the situation.”