Cable theft leaves 33 traffic signals dysfunctional across Karachi

Repeated thefts have crippled traffic signals, while funding shortages and lack of effective action hamper repairs

KARACHI:

Theft of cables and other equipment has rendered 33 traffic signals dysfunctional across Karachi, worsening traffic congestion on major roads and adding to commuters’ daily difficulties. After targeting iron railings around parks, playgrounds and roadsides, suspected drug addicts have now turned their attention to traffic signals, damaging critical urban infrastructure.

According to the Karachi Development Authority’s (KDA) Traffic Engineering Bureau (TEB), 94 traffic signals are installed across the city. However, repeated thefts have left many of them out of service, while the relevant authorities have yet to take effective measures to prevent further incidents.

Cameras installed along major roads have largely been used to issue traffic challans and monitor traffic violations, rather than to identify those responsible for damaging public infrastructure.

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An Express Tribune survey found that traffic police personnel often resort to manually controlling traffic at intersections where signals are not functioning. In some instances, however, traffic officials are also absent from these locations. The deteriorating condition of roads, with several stretches damaged and broken, further compounds the problem.

As a result, traffic congestion has become a daily occurrence on major thoroughfares as well as roads within residential and commercial areas.

Traffic Engineering Bureau (TEB) sources said repairs had been suspended for over a year due to funding shortages, with more than Rs10 million in contractor payments outstanding. The Sindh government allocated funds to the Karachi commissioner’s office for repairs, lane marking and road signs.

Using the funds and TEB’s technical support, 20 signals were repaired, including five automated ones. However, cables were subsequently stolen from seven signals, including those in Red Zone areas monitored by surveillance cameras, forcing them to shut down again.

These locations included Ziauddin Road near Lily Bridge, Boat Basin Chowrangi, Sir Syed Khalid bin Walid Road intersection, Akbar Road, Court Road and Singer Chowrangi. Cables on Ziauddin Road were reportedly stolen on three separate occasions.

At Boat Basin, a private security guard foiled an attempt to steal a newly installed road sign. TEB sources said police had repeatedly been informed about the thefts but had taken no effective action.

A police officer, speaking anonymously, said Safe City cameras were monitored through a centralised control room and used for traffic enforcement, tracing stolen vehicles and monitoring suspicious activity in Red Zone areas.

District police can obtain footage through formal requests, while community policing cameras installed with private donations are monitored at local stations. The officer said footage could help identify the culprits, blaming police negligence for the lack of action. The South district police spokesperson sought a day to comment but did not respond to subsequent calls.

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TEB sources said signals at another 26 locations were dysfunctional due to cable and equipment thefts, including Makki Masjid, Yaseenabad, Atrium Mall, Karachi Grammar School, Shahrah-e-Iraq, Albela Chowrangi, Guru Mandir, Banuri Town Mosque, II Chundrigar Road near Denso Hall, Aram Bagh and Shalimar Chowk.

Ghaus Bakhsh Abbasi, project director at the Karachi commissioner’s office, confirmed an increase in traffic signal cable thefts, saying FIRs had been registered and the commissioner had taken up the matter with senior police officials.

He said repairs had been delayed due to a funding shortage at the Traffic Engineering Bureau. Following the chief minister’s directives, the Sindh government released Rs100 million to the Karachi commissioner’s office, enabling the repair of 20 signals, including five automated ones, along with lane marking and road sign installation.

However, some repaired signals were damaged again by cable theft. Abbasi said a request for additional funds to repair the remaining faulty signals had been submitted to the provincial government.