THE 136-km M9 Motorway, which co- nnects Karachi and Hyderabad, was simply an upgrade of the old Super Highway. One lane was added on each side to make it a six-lane ‘motorway’, and eight int- erchanges were constructed with controlled access as well as exit points. The quality of construction neither matches nor is comparable to the motorways constructed in other parts of the country.

In fact, during my frequent travels, I have noticed deterioration on the road, especially in a portion of 30km between Nooriabad and Jamshoro Toll Plaza. The issues had started within a couple of years of its construction. This portion has developed bumps, cracks, and uneven patches that are a cause of concern for the commuters. These dangerous patches, without any kind of warning signs, have led to an increase in accidents as drivers are compelled to suddenly change their lanes to avoid the patches.

Keeping this critical issue in view, the relevant authorities should immediately carry out a general repair of M9 during which a comprehensive resurfacing of all the damaged patches should be done. Besides, a system should be evolved for proper surveillance and monitoring to quickly identify and address the issues.

Shams Jafrani
Karachi

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2024