ALMOST a year ago, both sides of Bilawal House road, were finally opened after years of its closure for public. It was only after the residents and civil society pressure that this main Clifton artery was opened to the public after Asif Ali Zardari completed his tenure as president.

But for the last one month, once again one side of the same road has been closed to the public. It has increased the burden of two-way traffic on the other side of the road which is only meant to negotiate one way.

Moreover, walls built alongside the road are still there and recently repaired which shows there are no plans to remove them. These walls have not only blocked the natural view of the area but have also closed down all entry and exit points from the service road.

The service road adjacent to the Bilawal House has been fully occupied and blocked and the opposite one is totally choked by the traffic entering and exiting Clifton’s block two. Furthermore, it is a big disaster in the morning and afternoon when the BBQ Tonight chowrangi gets totally choked owing to heavy traffic because there are more than a dozen schools situated in its vicinity.

This blockage and occupation of a main public artery is causing immense hardships to the public. It must be opened immediately.

Aijaz Ali Shah

Karachi

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2017