KARACHI, June 12: Just as power and water shortages cause considerable inconvenience to the people of Karachi, protests over these crises create traffic jams on the roads.

A similar situation was witnessed on Tuesday at Banaras Chowk, when protest demonstrations resulted in a traffic mess at the Chowk and all the other link roads.

Enraged residents of Bawani Chali, Mastan Chali, Pathan Colony, Gulistan Colony, Frontier Colony, Rehmania Colony, and adjacent areas blocked Manghopir Road from 8am to 12.30pm at various points from Habib Bank intersection to Valika Hospital and also lit bonfires.

The activity severely affected traffic movement at Shahrah-i-Orangi, Abdullah College and Qasba Colony roads.

The personnel of Peerabad police station, Site played the role of silent spectators and took no action to control the situation. However, traffic coming to Banaras from Shahrah-i-Orangi was diverted to Metrovile Road at Orangi No 5.

People using their own transport remained stranded for hours in the deluge of vehicles, while those using public transport opted to march towards their destinations.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of Valika Hospital chanting slogans against the government for its failure to control water and electricity shortages.

They told Dawn that their localities had been without water for the last 15 days and they were facing great problems. The officials of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) and the local elected representatives had failed to solve the problems, they deplored.

They said that in such a situation the only option left was to purchase water at exorbitant rates. They said that the main supply line opposite to the Valika Hospital had been lying damaged for the several days and water was falling into the sewerage line, but the officials concerned were least bothered about the repairs.

The Superintending Engineer, Azam Khan, when contacted said that the work on maintenance of the main supply line was now in progress.

He said the delay was caused due to the non-adjustment of the pipeline which, he said, would be completed on Wednesday (today).

The protesters also criticised the power utility for frequent unannounced power breakdowns during such sizzling summer days.

It was learnt that the protesters later dispersed at 12.30pm when the officials of the Site town assured them of coming up with some solution to their problems.