Better infrastructure management sought

Traders complain about unregulated road digging in Sindh cities

KARACHI:

Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry (HCSTSI) President Muhammad Saleem Memon has welcomed the decision of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to centralise permissions for road cutting, led by the Karachi mayor and city commissioner.

He termed the initiative a visionary and far-reaching step that would significantly contribute to better urban infrastructure management and ensure the longevity of newly constructed roads. "This decision will effectively curb unnecessary road excavation in Karachi, enhance the durability of road networks and improve overall urban infrastructure," he said.

Reflecting on past challenges, Memon pointed out that the lack of coordination among various departments and municipal agencies had led to repeated and unregulated road digging, which caused both financial wastage and immense inconvenience to the public.

The chief minister's directive will establish a well-structured approval mechanism, ensuring better synchronisation among utility departments and preventing the misuse of public funds.

The HCSTSI president urged the chief minister to extend the policy to Hyderabad and all other cities across Sindh, adding that the persistent issue of unregulated road digging existed throughout the province, where multiple agencies, without any cohesive planning, excavated roads at different times, leading to wastage of public resources and severe disruptions to the daily life.

By implementing a centralised approval system similar to Karachi, unnecessary road cutting can be effectively controlled, reducing public inconvenience and improving traffic management across the province.

He affirmed that the HCSTSI and the business community were hopeful that the progressive policy would be expanded to other cities to provide much-needed relief to the citizens. "We stand ready to cooperate with the government and look forward to taking concrete measures soon to address this critical issue."

Memon reiterated that the implementation of the policy across Sindh would not only lead to substantial savings of public funds but also result in significant improvements in urban infrastructure. This, in turn, will have a positive impact on the province's economy and overall urban development, ensuring a more sustainable and efficient civic management system.