KARACHI, Feb 1: In sharp contrast to cleanliness made in the surroundings of Expo Centre where an international exhibition is beginning from Wednesday, almost the entire pavement running all along a major service lane of University Road (from Hassan Square to newly installed pedestrian bridge in front of Urdu Science University) is littered with dirt and garbage, creating an unhygienic condition, besides presenting an ugly sight to passers-by and motorists.

One can see heaps of garbage dumped on roadsides. The remaining area has been encroached upon by restaurants, tea shops and food centres leaving no space for pedestrians to walk.

A visit to the area shows that the main service lane staring from Hassan Square Apartments to newly installed pedestrian bridge in front of Urdu Science University had developed deep potholes and craters owing to frequent flushing of filthy water on it by roadside food centres which had sprung up in a large number.

The restaurant owners have almost occupied every inch of the pavements by keeping chairs, tables and other paraphernalia including cooking utensils and tandoors on them and as a result of which pedestrians have no choice but to walk on the already ruined service road amidst the vehicular traffic.

The hoteliers have not only occupied the pavements running all along the apartment buildings but have also encroached upon a major portion of the footpath. Whatever little space that has been left unoccupied by hoteliers has been encroached upon by 'Pan' shops and other shopkeepers doing business of general stores.

One would be surprised to know that a portion of the footpath, near Hassan Square, has been literally covered with iron grills and was being used as parking lot reportedly by the officials of a nearby commercial bank.

As the pedestrians cannot walk on this portion of the footpath they are often seen wading through the filthy water which often remain stagnant there owing to leaking sewerage lines.

Hardly 20 feet away pedestrians are once again forced to walk on road, as the footpath has been occupied by a 'Puri' house. Similarly, Sir Shah Sulaiman Road starting from Cosy Homes to Essa Nagri pedestrian bridge has been heavily occupied by shopkeepers especially those doing carpet and furniture business.

Moreover, a major portion of Gulshan-i-Iqbal's Sehba Akhtar Road has been encroached by vendors and pushcarts. The encroachment is not only hindering the smooth flow of traffic but also contributing to dirty environment prevailing there since long.