KARACHI, March 22: Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai Road is inundated with sewage due to choked sewerage lines in the area creating problems for motorists, pedestrians and the business community.

During a visit to the area it was observed that the entire sewerage line from Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai Hall to Aga Khan School Kharadhar was choked. Almost all the manholes in the area are without lids and people themselves have placed wooden planks on the holes, which, too, are posing a threat to the lives of people.

The sewerage water has badly damaged the road, which is in ruins, with deep ditches and potholes full of drain water resembling ponds. Some shopkeepers have filled the front sides of their shops to divert the flow of water, which has further damaged the road, as the sewage can now easily enter the streets of residential flats.

It was observed that footpaths have also been occupied by shopkeepers, vendors and hoteliers and pedestrians, especially schoolchildren and women, faced great difficulties while navigating the road. The sewerage line is blocked up to Tower, and can easily be observed near Bilquis Edhi Centre.

The area people said that they had been facing these problems for the last six years and despite their repeated requests to the authorities concerned, no attention was paid to the dilapidated road and collapsed sewerage system.

People also complained of water shortage in the localities along D. D. Chaudhry Road, saying that they had been struggling for the supply of water since 2002, but could not succeed as yet.

When contacted, area councillor Mohammad Yousuf Tola said that he had approached all officials concerned, from UC 4 to the City Nazim, and submitted applications, but to no avail.

He said that due to the dilapidated condition of the road, traffic jams were a regular feature on the only main artery leading to Keamari and Saddar, adding that during rains people could not come on to the road due to stagnant drain water.

He demanded the City Nazim take personal interest and visit the area to solve its problems.

Nazim Lyari Town was not available for comments.