KARACHI, Nov 13: The Chairman, Site Association of Industry, Haroon Farooqi, has said that almost one-fifth of the city’s population, residing on both sides of the Mauripur and Hawkesbay roads and the commuters, particularly industrialists and the staff working in SITE area, have been facing traffic jams daily, causing loss of working hours, besides mental agony.

The inhalation of dust and smoke for hours by the motorists using the two roads, was also adversely affecting their health. A drive from Jinnah Bridge to Hawkesbay/Shershah, which was hardly 14km, usually took two hours during peak time, due to the traffic congestion, he said

Expressing his concern on the pathetic condition of the road, he said that despite lapse of a considerable time since rainy season, no carpeting had been done, and due to its frequent use by heavy vehicles the stones and gravel had come to the surface of the road, creating potholes in the road.

In a statement, he criticized the lethargy on part of the city government, National Highway Authority and SITE Limited in resolving the problem.

Deploring SITE Engineering department’s neglect regarding the issue, he said that despite the fact that the tenders for repairs, maintenance and development of the roads in the area, with an estimated cost of Rs1,056 million, had been approved, the work had not started yet.

He said that the non-availability of experienced traffic police and the disregard of traffic rules by trucks and buses had further complicated the situation.

He urged the Sindh Governor, Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad and City Nazim Naimatullah Khan to direct the concerned authorities to ensure immediate road repairs in SITE area.