Once a model neighbourhood, now swamped by sewage

Water stagnation, broken roads, inaction by civic agencies add to woes of Gulshan-e-Iqbal's residents

KARACHI:

A damaged sewage line in Gulshan-e-Iqbal's Block 13D/3 has left streets submerged, causing severe waterlogging and disrupting traffic across the area. Residents have been struggling for over 24 hours as civic authorities have failed to restore normalcy even after several hours. Once considered a thriving neighbourhood, the locality now faces crumbling streets, stagnant sewage, and worsening living conditions due to years of neglect.

The situation in the area has turned critical, with a burst sewage line resulting in stagnant water across the broken roads and streets. The accumulation has badly affected the flow of traffic, causing prolonged congestion and serious inconvenience for commuters and local residents.

Despite the passage of more than 24 hours, neither the Water Corporation nor the Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town administration has taken effective steps to repair the damaged sewage line or ensure proper drainage. Residents say the area specifically Sehba Akhtar road has been facing worsening conditions for over a year, yet no concrete measures have been taken either to rehabilitate the sewerage system or to restore the damaged roads.

Locals expressed frustration that the area continues to suffer despite repeated complaints. They recalled that Provincial Minister for Local Government Nasir Hussain Shah had visited the locality a few days ago, accompanied by Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town Chairman Dr Fawad, but said the visit failed to bring any meaningful improvement.

Area residents said that not only Block 13-D/3 but surrounding neighbourhoods are also facing similar problems. "Gulshan-e-Iqbal was once considered a posh area. Today, it resembles a neglected village," a resident said, adding that traffic jams at entry points have become a routine feature due to the poor state of infrastructure.

The affected residents have demanded immediate action from the concerned authorities to repair the sewage system, restore roads and provide lasting relief from what they described as an increasingly unbearable situation.