Karachi's major roads still in disrepair days after rains

KARACHI:

Several days after heavy rains, Karachi’s busiest roads remain neglected, with no cleanup efforts initiated. Behind the crucial MA Jinnah Road, streets are still broken, open manholes, stagnant sewage, mud, and piles of garbage, exposing the inefficiency of municipal authorities.

Residents have urgently appealed to the local government for the restoration of roads and the sewerage system.

Following the recent rains, many areas of the city, including MA Jinnah Road, are in ruins due to damaged infrastructure. Sewage water has flooded key roads and streets, leaving main thoroughfares and inner streets in a deteriorated state. Overflowing gutters have become a common sight across the city.

Behind MA Jinnah Road, areas surrounding the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), prominent private schools, City Mall, Gul Plaza, and various commercial centres are facing severe sewage issues. Pedestrians struggle to walk through the filth and sludge, with the absence of a functioning drainage system making it nearly impossible.

Residents told The Express Tribune that the sewage system has been dysfunctional for four months, leading to frequent accidents as motorcyclists cannot spot open manholes hidden by pooled water. Vehicles and motorbikes regularly get stuck in the mess. The area has turned into a waste dump, with stagnant water creating not only foul odours but also a breeding ground for diseases.

Traffic flow has also been severely impacted, with a half-hour commute now taking up to 90 minutes. Residents have called on municipal authorities to immediately begin clean-up operations and make the roads usable again.