Protests cause traffic chaos

Residents of Mahmoodabad and Kashmir Colony staged a protest on Wednesday evening on the Baloch Colony Expressway against the lack of electricity and water supply. They blocked both tracks of the expressway and raised slogans against the concerned authorities. The blockage caused massive traffic disruption, leaving commuters stuck in an extremely frustrating situation. The protest, which began during daylight, continued even after sunset.

Trapped in the severe traffic jam, many citizens turned off their vehicles and stepped out in frustration. According to a statement from the traffic police spokesperson, residents blocked both roads leading to and from Baloch Colony via the Expressway from the Hino Chowrangi side over frequent Power outage and non-supply of water. In response, traffic police redirected vehicles through alternate routes: traffic coming from Hino Chowrangi was diverted toward Godam Chowrangi and the city, while vehicles from Baloch Colony Bridge were also routed toward the city via alternate paths.

The protest disrupted traffic flow across major routes, including Main Korangi, Qayyumabad, Shaheed Millat Flyover, and Shahrah-e-Faisal. Long queues of vehicles formed on both sides of the expressway, with helpless citizens trapped for hours. Many attempted to escape the jam by using internal streets of Mahmoodabad, causing severe gridlock within the neighborhoods as well.

Citizens stuck in the jam expressed frustration, stating that daily protests over electricity and water shortages in different parts of the city were causing immense inconvenience. They added that not only are time and fuel wasted, but the government has taken no serious action to resolve the crises, forcing ordinary people to suffer daily traffic chaos due to these protests. Eventually, police managed to end the protest on the expressway after extensive effort and negotiation, restoring traffic flow. Meanwhile, traffic police also reported that due to similar protests by residents, both tracks of Causeway Nadi Road were closed. Traffic was rerouted from Godam Chowrangi to Chamra Chowrangi and from Liaquat Ashraf Colony Bridge as a U-turn back toward Baloch Colony Bridge.

Protests also erupted at Jehangir Road, Baloch Para, and Guru Mandir toward Teen Hatti, where residents blocked roads due to lack of electricity and water, leading to severe traffic jams in areas like Numaish Chowrangi and Soldier Bazaar.

Moreover, residents near Korangi Dhai No Bridge protested over water shortages, blocking the road toward Bilal Chowrangi, causing another intense traffic jam. However, police eventually arrived, negotiated with the protesters, and dispersed the crowd, restoring traffic.