KARACHI, July 17: Absence of proper safety measures at the sites of various development projects, especially those relating to the signal-free corridor between Site area and Karsaz may play havoc with the lives of people in the event of a heavy downpour the city is likely to receive in the current monsoon.
The most vulnerable are motorists in general, and motorcyclists and pedestrians in particular.
At the site of the interchange being constructed at the intersection of Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi Road and Ibrahim Rahimtoola Road, a portion of the single track available to motorists to proceed towards Karsaz has caved in during the uplift work. The deep ditch developed so, already poses a serious threat to the motorists who would fail to notice it timely. And if this particular portion of the road is inundated with rainwater, it would not be possible for any passer-by, motorcyclist or motorist to see the death trap lying ahead.
Similarly, one could also spot about 10 feet deep and at least six-seven feet wide ditch on Stadium Road, near the boundary wall of a plot adjacent to the National Sports Training and Coaching Centre (NSTCC). The ditch has probably developed due to digging by some utility service organisation about a month back. It is still lying unfilled and posing a serious threat equally to motorists, motorcyclists and pedestrians.
Motorists at the two dangerous spots have to drive cautiously, especially during night hours, to escape a mishap as a little amount of carelessness could result in a big tragedy and cost them dearly.
As street lights often remain off, motorists taking these routes usually face visibility problem. If some vehicle tries to overtake another vehicle, any of them would have to take the extreme left side of the road, obviously close to the ditch.
Besides, it is shocking to note that the portions of Stadium Road and Karsaz Road had been dug up more than 10 metres deep for the construction of interchange/flyover, no proper safety measures have been taken to avert a mishap, except for placing heavy boulders at some distance and erecting an ordinary ribbon along the sites’ boundary. Such things often remain unnoticed by motorists, even during the day time.
Moreover, absence of proper safety measure all around the other projects of the signal-free corridor, which includes three underpasses being built near Nazimabad flyover, Liaquatabad No. 10 and Gharibabad, has also created a situation where motorists are exposed to any mishap at any moment. Neither a glittering fence has been erected to warn motorists and passers-by effectively, nor has the diversionary roads been paved in a proper manner to facilitate movement of people and vehicles.
