KARACHI: Work stopped on Liaquat flyover’s at-grade roads
By Azizullah Sharif
KARACHI, July 24: At least four non-designated bus stops, set up illegally at Liaquatabad No-10 and Karimabad’s busy traffic intersections, together with the pathetic condition of Liaquat Flyover’s at-grade roads, might repeat the tragedy in which two female students and a motorcyclist were crushed to death by a speeding mini-bus last year.
Motorists passing underneath the Liaquat Flyover continue to receive jerks as repair of the at-grade road of the flyover is being delayed.
Though more than two years had elapsed since the inauguration of the flyover in April 2001, neither the city government, nor the firm which had been awarded the flyover construction work had initiated the construction or carpeting of two major traffic intersections — Liaquatabad No 10 and Karimabad — passing underneath the flyover.
As work has not been initiated, motorists are facing problems and it is feared that if the authorities failed to complete the at-grade’s work, it might result in traffic mishaps.
A visit to the flyover on Thursday showed that although both the busy intersections (Liaquatabad No 10 and Karimabad) are part of it and from where traffic approaching towards Nazimabad Petrol Pump from Gharibabad and also from Karimabad to North Nazimabad and vice versa passes through are lying in such a pathetic condition that motorists cannot cross these intersections without having heavy jerks or getting their vehicles damaged.
Both the intersections, as well as the alternative route, situated close to the huge housing-cum-commercial centre, Al-Karam Square, have not only developed craters and potholes, but one could also see sharp-edged gravels at Liaquatabad No 10 and Ibne-i-Sina Road traffic intersection and also near the Karimabad intersection.
Moreover, no signals have been installed at both the intersections for traffic that passes under the flyover. Traffic signals have also not been provided at the flyover’s two ramps from where traffic ascends on the flyover to mingle with the heavy traffic on the main flyover.
The Karimabad intersection is an important one as APWA Girls College, Dehli Govt College and School, an education office, a number of private educational institutions and two busy commercial centres — Meena bazaar and Faisal Centre— are located here. Similarly, a number of markets are located in the vicinity of Liaquatabad No-10 intersection.
Meanwhile, mini-buses, coaches and buses of different routes which pick and drop passengers at the busy turnings of Liaquatabad No 10, near Masjid-i-Shuhada and Karimabad, are creating hindrances in the smooth flow of traffic.
Although two female students of the APWA College and a motorcyclist had already lost their lives at Karimabad last year, traffic constables who often remain present at the spot do not challan the drivers of such vehicles.
It is feared that the mini-buses, coaches and buses indulging in rash and negligent driving which in order to overtake other vehicles of the same route might crush the commuters who literally stand and wait in the middle of roads for the for buses under open sky.
Bus drivers have developed the habit of stopping buses right adjacent to the flyover’s ramps on both sides of the main flyover, and they are creating hurdles for vehicles coming from the rear side, motorists said.
As drivers of mini-buses apply brakes all of a sudden, the fast moving traffic on the flyover finds it difficult to bring their vehicles to a halt to avoid any mishap.
It has also been observed that motorcyclists who try to apply brakes in their attempt to avoid hitting the stationary mini-buses often lose control over their vehicles and such a situation usually leads to mishaps.
Although this mess prevails, the traffic police officials of the Azizabad Traffic Section’s office, located underneath the Flyover, play the role of a silent spectator.
Meanwhile, a huge quantity of garbage which is often dumped under the flyover near Azizabad Traffic Section, is burnt, posing a threat to the flyover.
The smoke and the foul-smell causes breathing problems to motorists and passersby, and causing pollution.
When the city Nazim’s technical advisor, Salim Azhar, was contacted to know about the causes of delays in the construction of the flyover’s at-grade roads, he said since the NCL which was supposed to complete the flyover’s at-grade roads works was delaying the work, the city government’s works and services department awarded the road works contract to another firm, but upon receiving a legal notice from the NCL, the EDO (Works and Services) had cancelled the new firm’s contract.
