Daily Times

KARACHI: The Dilapidated roads in the metropolis coupled with potholes and ill-planned U-turns along with crossings at newly constructed flyovers of Malir Halt, Malir-15 locations resulting in prolonged traffic jams during the month of Ramazan are causing nuisance for citizens, Daily Times has learnt.

It is learnt that under new annual development programme (ADP) allocations, Rs 50.3 billion would be utilised out of Rs 10 billion for major infrastructure development of Karachi but heavy traffic jam is being witnessed due to ill-planned U-turns and crossings at flyover and roads.

Sources said that the broken Airport Road to Malir, Qaidabad, Bin Qasim, Razakabad, Safoora Chowrangi to Karachi University, Sohrab Goth, Sachal roads are damaged and due to dilapidated broken roads since many years, prolonged traffic jams is a routine matter now in these areas.

The speedy ambulances along with suffering patients are also being witnessed on broken roads coupled with loaded trucks and trawlers, which is becoming common with the passage of time.

The Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) despite heavy shares of local government and other municipal corporations to maintain standard of roads, the city roads and streets are dilapidated due to corrupt practices of government officials.

During 2013-14, the local government department, KMC, DMCs TMAs share was Rs 42,223.597 million out of Rs 350,934.899 million.

Sources said that Rs 10 billion have been allocated for major infrastructure development in Karachi during 2016-17. Under the allocations, reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads from Surjani to Madinatul Hikmat Karachi worth of Rs 750 million and an under pass at Regent Plaza Shahrah-e-Faisal Karachi worth of Rs 525 million would be done.

Sources said Baloch Colony Flyover would be redesigned with the cost of Rs 120 million, while Colony Flyover Karachi will also be reconstructed at the cost of Rs 505 million for smooth flow of traffic to Airport and other locations.

Similarly, new construction of Manzil Pump Flyover at N-5 Karachi with a cost of Rs 600 million is planned for smooth flow of traffic from Export Processing Zone and Landhi, Korangi areas to National Highway and Indus Highway.

There are other developments and projects including the construction of an underpass at Submarine Chowrangi Karachi worth of Rs 500 million. Benazir Bhutto Flyover at Shaheen Complex would be made at the cost of Rs 800 million.

The University Road from Hassan Square to NIPA would be constructed at the cost of Rs 770 million, University Road from NED University to Sufoora Chowk with a cost of Rs 780 million. Mosamiyat Road would be reconstructed with the cost of Rs 200 million.

The reconstruction of Tariq Road from Shaheed-e-Millat to Shahrah-e-Quaideen would cost Rs 550 million, Hub River Road (remaining portion) would cost Rs 500 million which have been allocated in budget 2016-17.