Sir,

I am a student of Hamdard University. Only two roads connect the university to the city — one from Surjani and the other from Manghopir. Due to the frequent law and order problems people hesitate to take the Manghopir road. Hence all the contract carriages and private transport carrying students take the Surjani road.

From this road it is an estimated distance of 15km to the university. If it were a clean and straight road it would take around 15 minutes. But from Surjani to the main gate of the university the road is filled with potholes. The main reason for this is that the road is used by heavy traffic round the clock. Due to these harsh conditions it makes travel on the road very difficult, with the result that it takes us around 35 to 45 minutes to reach the university.

My request to the relevant authorities is to please repair this road and try and devise a plan to limit further damage for the benefit of students as well as others who use this road.

IRFAN ALI DOSHAMBAY North Nazimabad

‘New Nazimabad’

Sir, It was interesting to read about ‘New Nazimabad’ in your newspaper. It would be appropriate if an Environmental Impact Assessment about this project is carried out as per requirement of the Sindh EPA. It is a requirement that any new big project has to have an EIA done.

MOIN KHAN Via email

Homi Katrak Building

Sir,

This is with reference to Peerzada Salman’s article ‘Silent Spectators’ in the Stone Age column dated October 30, 2011. I must tell you that being a Karachiite and a regular commuter using Victoria Road, I have been in love with the Homi Katrak Chambers for a long time now.

Reading about the building in the newspaper was a complete delight, although its present state is far from delightful. I was curious to find out more about the building but to my dismay, there is nothing on the internet.

I am awe-inspired by Karachi’s old architecture and disappointed by the fact that how little we as citizens of this metropolis are doing to preserve its heritage.

WAJIHA TARIQ Via email

Garbage dump

Sir,

It is surprising that the local authorities have placed a large container for dumping garbage on Jamshed Road, which lies between two major roads: M.A. Jinnah Road and Clayton Road.

The garbage dump is placed right next to one of the walls of Qureshi School. Schoolchildren have to walk past it to enter the school’s gates. Therefore, it poses a health hazard not only to children but also to their parents, who arrive there to drop their children, and to pedestrians who pass through there.

The dumping of garbage blocks at least half of the road and hampers the flow of vehicles which use the road for reaching either M.A. Jinnah Road or Clayton Road. It has become a nuisance as it occupies a space of 200 square feet where sweepers constantly dump garbage. Only one garbage van comes for picking up the trash, which is hardly sufficient for the job.

Whenever you pass by there, the foul and filthy smell gives you nausea, especially to people who are headed towards Masjid-i-Osmania for offering their prayers.

I request the local authorities in charge of maintaining hygiene and cleanliness to remove the garbage dump to an isolated place as soon as possible.

A.S. PINGAR Secretary Hyderabadi Housing Cooperative Society Amil Colony mailbag@dawn.com