EVERY Karachi resident knows the importance of University Road, which is a major signal-free corridor leading to Saddar, as well as to several other important locations from Gulshan-i-Iqbal.

At present the traffic has increased to such an extent that the width of the road appears too narrow, especially during peak hours.

Not far from Baitul Mukarram, about six months ago the centre of the road had sunk. It has now turned into a crater.

The entire traffic has to stop at this point to negotiate the badly-damaged portion. Right at that location is also the start of a U-turn, as well as a CNG outlet, which further increases the traffic chaos. Drivers’ impatience further aggravates the matter.

Surprisingly the offices of traffic engineers, deputy commissioners and the city district government are only a kilometre from this chaotic location.

Despite a lapse of over six months no officer has taken notice of the daily occurrence of these ugly traffic jams.

Abu Ibad
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 25th , 2014