A rough ride: Washed away causeway in need of repairs

The causeway was submerged after Malir River overflowed during recent torrential rains.

KARACHI:

Commuters passing through the EBM Causeway heading to the Korangi Industrial Area are at high risk of mishaps as the authorities have not initiated repairs at broken parts of the road, The Express Tribune has learnt.

The EBM causeway, completed by Korangi Industrial Trading Estate (Kite), connects the industrial area to Sharae Faisal was submerged after Malir River overflowed during the recent torrential rains. “I know it is dangerous to pass through the broken parts of causeway but the passage saves me an hour to make it to my destination,” admitted 25-year-old Faisal, who works in the industrial area. “When I take Expressway, I normally get stuck on Jam Sadiq Bridge and then Korangi Crossing so it usually takes an additional hour. That’s why I continue to take the causeway knowing that it is dangerous.”

Commuters feel the builders did not use good quality material. “The recent downpour washed away the causeway as cheap material was used but no one can be punished,” said Abdul Rasheed, a 50-year-old motorcyclist. “It looks like someone bombarded us on this spot.” Instead of starting rehabilitation work, the authorities are just trying to gain media attention by starting fake cleanliness campaigns, he complained.

The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation authorities and other civic bodies neither block the street nor take interest in initiating repairs work. The director-general of KMC technical services, Niaz Ahmed Soomro, insisted the KMC had nothing to do with the affairs of EBM Causeway as the whole project was completed under the directions of Kite. “The damaged spots on the street should be taken care of by the estate,” he said.

A former president of Korangi Association of Trade and Industry and a senior official of Kite, Masood Naqi, while talking to The Express Tribune agreed that the whole project was completed by Kite with the total amount of Rs120 million, and the repairs work should also be completed by them.

“The flood in Malir River and heavy rains broke some parts of the causeway. Kite has completed the technical survey and allocated funds to complete the repair work by next month.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30^th, 2013.