KARACHI, May 4: Work on a water development project along Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai Road in Lyari Town has been halted for reasons best known to the authorities concerned.

Due to the dug up road, pedestrians, particularly schoolchildren, are facing a lot of problems, while there is also hindrance in the smooth flow of vehicular traffic near Government Mir Ayub Secondary School up to Aga Khan Hospital.

According to residents, work on the project for laying pipelines along Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai Rd had started about eight months ago, but was suddenly abandoned without any public notice.

It appears that the development work would take another year or more for completion.

Shah Latif Bhittai Road, previously known as Atmaram Pretum Das Road, is an important commercial route connecting Lyari Town with Site and Saddar Towns.

Due to the negligence of the civic agencies, the road is in poor shape, as it has developed cracks and potholes, causing massive traffic jams, particularly at the Moosa Lane section.

This 10km long vital artery has no footpaths at many of its portions, causing problems for pedestrians, particularly women and children.

Members of the Mohalla Committee have raised the issue many times, emphasising the need for early completion of ongoing uplift work, but their efforts have yet to produce any results.