Power, water protests trigger traffic chaos
Protests over prolonged power and water shortages have become a routine in Karachi, disrupting traffic and causing severe inconvenience to commuters. Residents complain that daily demonstrations are resulting in prolonged traffic jams, wasting their valuable time and expensive fuel.
On Sunday, protests over the lack of electricity and water were held at several locations, including Manghopir Road near Bismillah Hotel and Rexer Lane in Pak Colony, Gharibabad and near Malang Hotel at Banaras Chowk on Manghopir Road. The demonstrations brought traffic to a standstill, causing massive congestion and long queues of vehicles.
In Pak Colony, residents blocked Manghopir Road near Bismillah Hotel and Rexer Lane to protest against prolonged power and water outages. Traffic remained severely affected. Protesters chanted slogans against K-Electric.
The protesters said electricity had been suspended for three days in several areas, including Old Golimar, Dakhanay Wali Gali, Wali Muhammad Goth, Perel Mohalla, Ayesha Village, Gharib Nawaz Colony, Rexer Lane, Tajuddin Baba Asal Aulia Village, Sajid Wali Gali and areas around Trans Lyari Park.
They said electricity had also been unavailable for the past three days in the vicinity of Bismillah Hotel, resulting in severe shortage of water.
The protesters criticised the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), alleging that the regulator had failed to take effective notice of the prolonged power outages in the city.
Commuters caught in the traffic jams said protests over electricity, water and other basic services had become a daily occurrence, while no effective measures appeared to be being taken at the government level.
Meanwhile, residents of Gharibabad near Liaquatabad also staged a protest against prolonged power outages on the road leading towards Hasan Square. They blocked the road and set tyres and other waste on fire, disrupting traffic.
The protest caused severe congestion in Liaquatabad and adjoining areas, with long queues of vehicles forming on the affected routes.
The protesters said the prolonged power outage had made their lives extremely difficult and had also caused a shortage of water. They complained that no one was there to address their grievances.
Another protest was held near Malang Hotel at Banaras Chowk on Manghopir Road over the lack of electricity and water. The demonstrators blocked traffic and chanted slogans against the relevant authorities, demanding the immediate restoration of both utilities.