KARACHI, Aug 1: Citizens are facing hardships owing to dug-up roads and rainwater accumulated on roads and streets in certain localities. At many places, trenches developed after the first downpour. Commuters on Malir, New Karachi, Keamari, Nazimabad, Orangi, Korangi roads expressed their resentment over the neglect of the authorities that resulted in damage to the roads.

The residents of Bath Island, Gulshan-i-Faisal, 5th Street complained that their locality had been flooded with knee-deep rainwater which had also submerged their houses and apartment premises at Skyland.

They regretted that while the government officials were paying no heed, there was no private service available which could come to their rescue in the hour of need. They urged the authorities to come to their rescue and help them drain out water on humanitarian grounds.

Dr Iqbal, a resident of Gulshan-i-Faisal 4th Street said knee-deep water was seen on a vast area where no storm water drains existed and gutters had started over flowing. Nearby is the Corps Commander’s residence and French consulate, but the authorities have failed to take any measure. Area people said that they had also lodged complaints with the officials concerned.

In other localities, people expressed concern that when water and sewerage lines were laid they were asked to pay road cutting charges by agencies concerned but the roads were never repaired afterwards. Subsequently, they added, the roads caved in at a number of places after the first downpour that had already been predicted by the met department concerned.

The civic agencies were engaged in draining out rainwater only, they said, and expressed their apprehension that in case of more rains, the trenches might result in closure of these roads worsening the traffic situation.

As rain continues, deep craters filled with rainwater have developed risking the lives of hundreds and thousands of commuters.

Inquiries revealed that a number of roads were not carpeted after being dug up for laying water, sewerage lines and power, telephone cables. The trenches were filled and cosmetic arrangements were made which got exposed with two days of rain.

These roads are located in Landhi, Korangi, Malir, Shah Faisal Colony, North Karachi, Orangi, Gulistan-i-Jauhar and their number may be in dozens. Similarly, the roads where cosmetic carpeting got exposed included service lanes on Sharea Faisal and I.I. Chundrigar Road.

Although the municipal staff has been draining out water for the last two days, the rainwater is even seen along Sharea Faisal and Korangi Road near Gora Qabristan and Finance and Trade Centre.

People are of the view that in addition to draining out rainwater the repair and carpeting of roads on emergency basis had become extremely necessary to save them from accidents.