Construction chaos grips Gulshan-e-Iqbal

What began as a long-overdue infrastructure upgrade has turned into a prolonged ordeal for residents of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Block 13-D, where dug-up roads, stalled work, and mounting frustration have made daily life a struggle. For seven months, the area has resembled a construction zone frozen in time - with no clear end in sight.

The development work, initiated under the Karachi Infrastructure Development Company Limited, included installation of new sewerage lines and a modern drainage system in Block 13-D/2. Simultaneously, Sui Southern Gas Company began laying new pipelines. The project started in September 2025 but remains incomplete, with all activity coming to a halt over the past two months.

Residents report that one track of the road is blocked by large mounds of dirt, rendering it completely unusable, while the other remains uneven and hazardous. The situation has effectively turned the locality into a "war zone," with access becoming increasingly difficult.

Sources indicate that the contractor suspended work, citing a surge in project costs and demanding a 25 per cent increase in the original estimate. Authorities have forwarded the request to an international financial institution for approval, but no decision has been made so far - leaving the project in limbo.

The fallout has been severe. Thousands of residents are grappling with traffic chaos, persistent dust, and rising health concerns, including respiratory and infectious diseases. Locals say poor planning and lack of coordination have compounded their misery.

Frustrated citizens have appealed to the Government of Sindh to take immediate notice, terming the delay a case of gross negligence. They demand accountability for those responsible and urgent completion of the project, so the neighbourhood can finally return to normalcy.