Karimabad underpass turns nightmare for locals

Failure of KDA to abide by environmental requirements has disturbed traffic flow, utility lines, commercial activity

KARACHI:

The Karimabad Underpass project, which was initiated in June last year under the supervision of the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) with the funding of the Sindh Government, was expected to be completed in two years however, only 20 per cent of the work has been completed thus far, even though at least 50 per cent should have been finished in 1.5 years.

Recently, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report was approved, under which the KDA was promptly instructed to address the locals’ grievances by devising a plan for traffic management, storm water drainage, solid waste disposal, relocation of utility lines, community safety and security, and afforestation. However, no concrete measures have been taken to address these concerns to date.

Aamir Ali, a resident of a building near Karimabad, felt that the convenience of the local population and the traffic alternative plan were not considered before beginning the construction project.

“In the metropolis of Karachi, people are treated like insects and their rights are ignored. The underpass project's development is proceeding very slowly, which is causing serious transportation issues for the local population,” lamented Ali, who further revealed that dust in the atmosphere was also a major source of trouble.

Similarly, Muhammad Aslam, a merchant from the Meena Bazaar at Karimabad, revealed that the lack of alternate traffic routes and the high volume of encroachments were hurting the local businesses in the aftermath of the underpass construction. The authorities should have focused on one track first and then shifted attention to the second. Instead, simultaneous work on both tracks has spawned numerous problems,” opined Aslam.

Aslam’s revelations were supported by Razia Sultana, a shopper at Meena Bazaar, who expressed her frustration at the underpass project, which in her opinion had made life miserable for Karachi's citizens.

“The ongoing project has placed an undue burden on women who have trouble navigating through the area, which has no fencing. The alternative roads are bumpy and narrow, while many encroachments have also been established,” shared Sultana.

A traffic police official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to The Express Tribune confirmed that the underpass had become a traffic chokepoint. “The alternative route proves equally challenging, as its narrowness, coupled with encroachments, creates severe bottlenecks, testing the traffic police's efforts to maintain order,” said the official.

“An alternative route from Al-Najibi Shopping Center to Okhai Memon Masjid is being utilized for traffic, however, it has potholes in a number of locations that aren't carpeted. The main road and alternate roads have the worst traffic jams all day. The constant flow of vehicles has caused significant damage to manhole covers and rings, which the Union Council (UC) has been repairing using its own funds. Furthermore, the utility lines have not been relocated, resulting in manholes overflowing with sewage at residential and commercial properties along main roads,” said Zubair Wali, Chairman of Union Council (UC) 7, Karimabad, while speaking of the project which now costs Rs3.46 billion.

Imran Sabir, Director of the Sindh Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), admitted in an interview with The Express Tribune that KDA had not implemented the conditions of the EIA report. “Fencing and lighting arrangements are missing at the site of construction,” said Sabir.

“In Karachi, environmental regulations are flagrantly violated during every construction project, but SEPA plays the role of a silent spectator on every occasion,” opined Dr Syed Nawaz Al Hadi, a regional planner, who felt that both the Sindh government and the KDA shared equal responsibility for this carelessness.

“The project will be completed on time if the funds are provided in a timely manner. So far, 30 per cent of the project is already complete, in adherence to the EIA report's safety guidelines,” claimed KDA’s Executive Engineer, Junaid Ahmed.