KARACHI, Dec 31: The Liaquatabad underpass was closed for vehicular traffic on Sunday morning when the main trunk sewer burst causing accumulation of sewage inside the underpass.

The contractor of Liaquatabad underpass, Mr Akbar, said at about 11am, the main 48-inch diameter sewerage line carrying sewage of entire defunct district Central, that is passing alongside the underpass, burst and the underpass was inundated.

He said that there was no option except close the underpass to traffic and start work to drain it. “The bursting of the sewerage line has made our work difficult, as it is a gigantic task specially during the Eid holidays,” he added.

City Nazim Mustafa Kamal, visited the underpass and directed the staff to do a good job and open the underpass at the earliest. Mr Akbar, however, said opening the underpass for traffic might take time due as clearing the underpass of sludge and mud is time consuming.

According to the city government’s works and services department, the underpass will be drained by Monday night.