The city government’s claims of having constructed a strong infrastructure have been exposed by the rainfall received over the past week.
Most of the projects completed recently have suffered maximum damage in the rains.
Over a foot-deep ditches appeared at least five places on the Jehangir Road after the rains a couple of days ago. Trenches blocked the Business Recorder Road after the rain on Thursday morning.
Both the roads were built some six months ago.
The traffic, including heavy trailers, was stopped on the road leading to the new Mauripur truck stand from Gulbai due to accumulation of water.
The patch of about 100 metres and another one near the Mehran Highway in Malir, which have become major choking points during the rains, had been left unconstructed even after major roads on both ends had been completed.
According to a works and services department official, a coordinator of the city Nazim had insisted that a separate tender would be issued for all such left out patches in the city. However, it could not be done in six months.
Many roads are in a shambles, increasing the risk of accidents, specially for the motorcyclists have no idea where the ditches have developed.
After just 8mm of rain in the Liaquatabad town, two large ditches have appeared under the Liaquat flyover, causing severe problems from the drivers.
Almost all the roads and streets have developed potholes but Orangi Town, New Karachi and parts of Gulistan-i-Jauhar are among the worst hit areas. Some motorcycle owners prefer to drive on the footpaths in those areas due to the condition of the roads.
The University Road, one of the busiest roads of the city, is giving an ugly look as many ditches can be seen at different places between the Islamia College roundabout and the Nipa Chowrangi.
The rain has made the conditions worst as the accumulated water is playing havoc with the carpeting of the roads and developing more ditches.
Accumulated water in front of the Civic Centre on the University Road was being pumped out by electric motors.
The water accumulated on the Clifton Road could not be drained on Thursday causing hardship to the pedestrians and motorcyclists.
Roads in Baldia, Orangi, New Karachi and Lyari, which were already dilapidated before the rains, have become worst because of the stagnant rainwater.
It was observed during a visit to different localities that the water accumulated on the roads during the rains last week was not properly drained and most of the manhole covers were missing, providing a breeding ground for mosquitoes and causing a health hazard.
The situation in the old city areas aggravated as the narrow streets filled with garbage received rain and no space was left even for the pedestrians.
A city government officials, when contacted, said the problem lay in lack of planning in designing of projects. He said improper slopes of the roads caused water to accumulate.
He alleged that the towns were also giving little attention to cleaning the drains in their areas.—PPI