I WISH to draw the attention of the Sindh government towards the deteriorating condition of Lyari Expressway (LEW). Last week, one of my friends was retur-ning from Hawkesbay with his family.

He took the expressway from Mauripur and, after paying the toll charges, he started moving at a speed below the speed limit designated for the expressway.

Suddenly, he had to apply the brakes in emergency as a child aged about seven years suddenly ran across the expressway chasing a ball. He was part of a group of boys playing cricket on the expressway.

In an attempt to save the child, my friend’s car hit another vehicle on his right and later hit the pavement. Luckily, the family remained safe, but the two vehicles suffered extensive damage.

When the Sindh government is collec-ting toll charges, why is it not maintaining the expressway? There are no streetlights on expressway. I have often noticed motorbikes plying on the expressway when two- and three-wheelers are not allowed on the road. Also, children are seen flying kites and playing cricket on the expressway.

When the expressway had been inau-gurated, there were metal nets on both its sides, but, with the passage of time, such nets disappeared, allowing people and stray animals to get on to the expressway at will where traffic moves at a high speed.

Frankly, is the provincial govern-ment really waiting for some major raod accident to happen? Those who matter must act now before it is too late.

M. Rafique Zakaria
Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2025