City roads built to break

Even as sacrificial animals have already begun trickling into parts of the city ahead of Eidul Azha, Karachi's roads remain in a severely deteriorated state, raising serious concerns about how the infrastructure will cope in the coming days as livestock movement intensifies and post-Eid waste begins to accumulate.

Instead of well-maintained roads helping facilitate the safe and orderly movement of animals during the festive season, the city is entering Eid preparations with crumbling streets, deep potholes and widespread road damage already in place.

Residents and observers warn that under such conditions, the situation could worsen significantly once sacrificial animals start roaming in larger numbers, temporary animal markets expand, and slaughter-related waste and runoff add further strain to already broken and unhygienic road surfaces.

The city's road infrastructure has plunged into what residents describe as its worst condition in decades, with broken roads, massive potholes and unchecked excavation work crippling traffic flow and making daily travel increasingly unbearable. Across Karachi, major arteries and inner streets alike are in poor condition due to long-neglected repairs and repeated utility excavations. Citizens fear that if the roads remain in their current state, the post-Eid period could bring an even more difficult scenario, with hygiene concerns, blocked drainage, traffic congestion and worsening public inconvenience compounding an already fragile urban system.

Residents say the situation has worsened dramatically due to extensive digging by Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), which has excavated roads across the city for pipeline and utility works, including many recently constructed streets.

From North Karachi's 4K Chowrangi and Nagan Chowrangi to Board Office, major roads and service lanes are riddled with potholes and damaged patches, causing traffic congestion and daily hardship for commuters. Similar scenes are visible in North Nazimabad, Nazimabad, Liaquatabad, Gulberg, Federal B Area and Hussainabad, where both main roads and inner streets resemble abandoned infrastructure.

In Korangi, Landhi, Malir and Shah Faisal Colony, residents say many streets have virtually disappeared beneath layers of broken asphalt and excavation debris. Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Mahmoodabad, Manzoor Colony, Azam Basti and Akhtar Colony are also facing deteriorating road conditions, while sewage water accumulated on damaged streets in old city areas such as Lyari, Ranchore Line and Shershah Market has further compounded public misery.

The city's western districts, including Orangi Town, Baldia Town, Saeedabad and Gadap, are facing similarly dire conditions despite the presence of elected local governments for the past two years. Citizens complain that little to no visible development or repair work has taken place.

Major thoroughfares have also become increasingly difficult to navigate. University Road has remained under prolonged disruption for more than a year and a half, while ongoing Green Line-related work on M A Jinnah Road continues to create severe traffic bottlenecks.

Abul Hasan Isphahani Road and Rashid Minhas Road have also been dug up by SSGC, badly affecting traffic movement. Residents further complain of encroachments and poor maintenance along roads from Disco Bakery to Gulshan Chowrangi, as well as deteriorating stretches from Baba Morr to Anda Morr in North Karachi.

At Liaquatabad No 10 and Teen Hatti, large craters in the middle of roads have become a serious hazard for motorists and motorcyclists alike. Even Saddar, considered Karachi's commercial heart, has not been spared from extensive digging and damaged roads.

Citizens accuse local government bodies of inaction, alleging that despite billions of rupees reportedly paid to town administrations and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation under road-cutting charges, restoration work remains largely absent.

Urban planners and residents alike blame the crisis on poor planning, weak oversight and the absence of coordination between municipal institutions and utility agencies.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, several residents said Karachi's current road conditions are unlike anything seen before.

"In just a few years, the city has been destroyed. Broken roads and potholes everywhere have become our fate," one resident lamented, urging authorities to immediately launch a comprehensive road rehabilitation campaign before conditions deteriorate further.