Rain-damaged road poses threat to commuters

KARACHI: The recent rains have severely damaged the road from Teen Hatti to Jail Chowrangi, and despite the passage of many days since the heavy showers, no efforts have been made to repair it.The part of the road outside the juvenile jail is particularly in a very depleted state with potholes after every few yards.The potholes are creating problems for commuters, and residents fear that they may cause accidents leading to loss of precious lives.The damaged part of the road near the Osmania Mohajir Colony is especially quite dangerous because turning vehicles have to suddenly apply brakes that could easily result in a collision. It is pertinent to mention here that this road was inaugurated by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad in December last year. The city government had spent Rs 250 million on the construction of this road and Jamshed Road (from Gurumandir to Main gate Central Jail). “Minibuses move on this road at a very fast speed and those on motorcyclists have to make a sudden stop because of these potholes,” said a resident. “Due to this situation there could be serious trouble for motorcyclists.” Residents also say that the covers of manholes on these roads were above the road level that often puts vehicles, particularly motorbikes, in a lot of trouble. Besides, they say, the width of the greenbelt on this road was unnecessarily reduced, depriving the area of many trees. “There is never a traffic jam here, so there was no need to reduce the width of the greenbelt, but it was still shortened.”