Damaged roads, bridges causing severe traffic jams in Karachi

KARACHI: Pakistan's largest metropolis has been facing severe traffic jams due to badly damaged roads and bridges caused by the movement of heavy vehicles on its main arteries without any restrictions during the daytime. This is a clear violation of Supreme Court orders in 2007.

Traffic authorities are focusing only Shahrah-e-Faisal while the most of main arteries in the city are facing heavy traffic jams due to lack of planning. Heavy vehicles like dumpers, tractor trawlers, and tankers have been allowed to move on the roads in the day-time without any restrictions.

Due to loaded heavy vehicle movement, many roads in the city are badly damaged, and the government has failed to repair them since several years as concerned authorities cite lack of development, repair, and maintenance funds.

The Supreme Court had directed traffic police and the city government in 2007 to immediately stop the entry of heavy vehicles in the city during the daytime.

Heavy vehicles were banned from entering Karachi between 11pm and 6am, an interim order passed by the then apex court bench comprising Justices Rana Bhagwandas and Justice Mohammad Nawaz Abbasi in exercise of the court's suo moto power. Apparently, there was no restriction on the intra-city heavy traffic movement and exit during the daytime.

DIG Traffic Karachi has now issued heavy vehicle timings but only for Shahrah-e-Faisal.

The National Highway link road has been closed down due to repair work for several months and heavy traffic has been diverted to Quaidabad, Malir, Malir Halt, Jinnah Avenue, M M Alam Road towards Superhighway.

These heavy vehicles have been damaging roads in the city while water tankers and illegal hydrants are also causing severe road damage. These tractor-trawlers, tankers, and dumpers are also causing fatal accidents in the city, where many citizens have lost their precious lives.