KARACHI, March 12: The city government has launched road repair work simultaneously at more than 50 locations throughout the metropolis, which is naturally causing traffic congestions and immense hardships to motorists and commuters in public transport.

A number of major arteries and other busy roads have either been dug up or a portion of these have been closed for some repair making the passage for traffic narrower leading to traffic chaos. The lack of coordination between the city government and traffic police is evident by the grim situation of traffic congestions on almost all major roads and intersections, which is only adding to the sufferings of the motorists.

A survey carried out by Dawn shows that major roads, which have been dug up for repair or development work, include Sir Shah Suleman Road in Liaquatabad, where underpass is being constructed. The road coming from Karimabad to Liaquatabad No 10 and the part of Karimabad flyover was also closed therefore the traffic coming from Karimabad could not proceed to Liaquatabad No 10.

On Saturday, another busy road in Nazimabad was dug up for construction of an underpass. The worst hit of this ‘massive’ development activity are hundred of thousands motorists moving to and from Federal ‘B’ Area, North Nazimabad, North Karachi and Nazimabad.

The simultaneous construction of three underpasses — one each at Gharibabad, Liaquatabad No 10, and Petrol Pump, in Nazimabad — along with parts of two flyovers at Karsaz-Sharea Faisal intersection and Hasan Square has become citizens’ nightmare.

Similarly, a portion of Rashid Minhas Road has been closed due to the construction of flyover at Sohrab Goth, and the intersection is always crowded, as the planners have not bothered to develop alternative routes to ease the persisting traffic congestions.

A track of one of the busiest thoroughfares, Sharah-i-Pakistan, from Aisha Manzil to Water Pump intersection was dug up for repair and closed for all sorts of vehicles. The traffic has been diverted to the other track making it a two-way traffic artery.

Other closed roads include Altaf Ali Brailvi Road from Jahangirabad to Chowrangi No 1; Main Super Highway from Total petrol station to Gulshan-i-Maymar; service road along Shahrah-i-Jahangir from Landi Kotal Chowrangi to Five Star traffic signal in North Nazimabad; Shahrah-i-Ayazul Haq Qudoosi from Disco Mor up to UP More in North Karachi; service road along Allama Rashid Turabi Road from Ziauddin Hospital Chowrangi to Landhi Kotal Chowrangi in North Nazimabad; New M.A. Jinnah Road from Jail Chowrangi to Islamia College roundabout; and Sharea Raees Amrohvi from Qalandaria Chowk to Anda More in North Karachi.

Residents of Landhi are also facing traffic problems, as a portion of road from Chiragh Hotel to 89 Road, which was dug up for laying and repairing water pipeline months back, has been left unattended. Closure of one portion forces the motorists to enter the other track and in rush hours, as the two-way traffic runs on a single track, motorists endure miserable traffic jams.

In Malir, one track of Begum Khursheed Road from Kala Board to Saudabad Chowrangi, almost a five kilometres long portion, was dug up some five months back and had not been built so far. The two-way traffic is now plying on a single track resulting in routine traffic jams.

The Korangi Industrial Area Road (8000 Road) from Brooks Chowrangi to Darul Uloom intersection was also dug up months back and has since been left abandoned. Similarly, the Korangi Road from Korangi Crossing to Korangi No 5 has been dug up and partially repaired at several places making it difficult for motorists to ply on it smoothly.

In Lyari, Mirza Adam Khan Road from Dhobi Ghat to Ghulaman-i-Abbas School was also unmotorable. Similarly, Mir Mohammad Baloch Road from Baghdadi PS to Lee Market; Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai Road from Juna Mosque Chowk to Agra Taj Colony; Siddique Wahab Road from Spenser Eye Hospital to Ramazan Kanta; Miran Naka Road from 8-D Chowk to Pankha hotel; and Faqir Mohammad Durra Khan Road from Cheel Chowk to Dhobi Ghaat, were yet to be carpeted.

In Orangi Town, several dug-up roads include Metroville Road from Frontier Chowk to Metroville; Sharea Orangi from Chowrangi No 5 to municipal office; Mominabad Bazaar Road from Faqir Colony to Mominabad, and Sharea Qatar from Sector 8-L to Datanagar.

Some of the busiest roads, which were dug up and yet to be repaired, include I.I. Chundrigar Road, Bambridge Road from Chand Bibi Road to Nishter Road, and Jamila Street from Nishter Road to Hoti Market. Warly Road (running from Nishtar Road traffic signal towards South Police Headquarters), is also a busy road as all the traffic coming to and from Pak Colony uses this course to proceed either towards Merewether Tower or Saddar.

Following the construction of underpass in Clifton, the Karachi Port Trust under an agreement with the city government is working on the road at Mai Kolachi, Maulvi Tameezuddin Khan Road, and Boating Basin Road from Boating Basin roundabout to Submarine Chowrangi.

Due to the repair works continuing simultaneously for the past several months, citizens have been facing immense hardships and bitter experiences on roads.