Sir,

I recently visited the Liaquatabad Market near Lalu Khet No.10 for shopping with my family. After shopping we caught a rickshaw to return home. The rickshaw driver took the route from Lalu Khet No.10 to our destination.

As the rickshaw reached the Lalu Khet No.10 flyover, we were horrified to see the critical condition of the traffic flow — without any signals — at this spot. Amazingly, there was no signal there despite the fact that traffic was coming from several directions. Due to the way the traffic was moving, any mishap could easily have taken place.

The authorities concerned must consider this critical spot and ensure the installation of signals at Lalu Khet No.10.

HAFIZ MUHAMMAD NOMAN Via email

Vulnerable building

Sir,

I would like to draw the Sindh Building Controlling Authority’s and Karachi Development Authority’s attention towards a very serious and dangerous issue.

My residence is located in the old, under-developed and overpopulated area of Ranchore Line. The area suffers from various civic problems, such as lack of proper sewerage system, lack of grounds and parks and environmental pollution. However, due to the area’s growing population there is a serious housing shortage. What builders are doing to solve this is illegally building flats upon flats. These types of buildings are becoming skyscrapers, where even the buildings’ roofs are occupied.

Such actions are very risky and make the buildings weak. In the rainy season these ill-maintained buildings can easily collapse, while they are not capable of facing earthquakes.

The Sher Mohammad Building located at Mouji Street, in which we reside, is in a similar condition. It was a five-floor building when it was constructed. Its foundations are weak and its covering walls are without cement plaster. It cannot take further burden upon it. Sometimes, little stones break from its outer covering walls and fall in the street. It has developed cracks as well. However one floor was constructed recently and the builders intend to construct another floor upon it. Now the building would have seven floors.

The pitiable and helpless residents of this building — mostly women and the elderly — don’t have the influence to stop the builders from carrying on with this dangerous act. Their stubbornness can cost lives if the building collapses. In case such a tragedy occurs, the residents are not financially able to arrange an alternative shelter in this era of high inflation.

Hence we, the residents of this building, urge the authorities concerned to stop this illegal act.

M.A. SILAWAT Gazdarabad

Water wastage

Sir,

In my neighbourhood water is being wasted because of the following: daily or frequent washing of cars, floors and stairs. Due to this, pools of water form on the roads which makes walking or crossing hazardous; underground water tanks without float valves, which inundate the roads; leaking pipes, which are not repaired by the city government staff without gratuity.

Also, my street is encroached by seven out of 10 houses. Three of them have extended so much that only half the width of the road is available. One of these has a large enclosed garden. Four others have smaller patches of green — all these are watered daily with pressure pipes.

I suggest that the Water Board should release water only twice a day for one hour each. This will curtail the urge to play ducks and drakes with this precious commodity. Incidentally, sewerage pipes overflow everywhere, which also makes walking on the street very painful.

SHAFAAT RASOOL Block 13-C, Gulshan-i-Iqbal

Loadshedding at amusement park

Sir,

Recently I visited Aladdin Park. Many people were present in the amusement park and were enjoying the rides with their families.

Suddenly, at 8.30pm, the electricity went off and there was no back-up power supply for any of the rides. All the people were stuck in the rides for almost a minute. After one minute the generator was switched on and the rides started again.

It would be better if the local government orders the park administration to install back-up generators which are started automatically when the electricity goes off. The manual generator has to be started by someone and takes at least half a minute; this half a minute is absolutely terrifying for those people on the rides. A gate-keeper told me that loadshedding is being carried out on a daily basis at the park and the generator only supplies electricity to limited rides.

In light of this, the park administration should install a high-power generator.

MUBASHIR MAHMOOD Bahadurabad

‘The remains  of the day’

Sir,

When I saw the name ‘Temple Road’, I thought Mr Peerzada Salman was writing about Lahore buildings. But then I learned that a road of this name also existed in Karachi.

Living in Karachi as I am since December 1948 and having studied in BVS School, which is so near the place, I was unaware till today that there was a Temple Road in Karachi.

Thank you for this piece of information.

JUSTICE (RETD) SALAHUDDIN MIRZA DHA

mailbag@dawn.com