KARACHI, Oct 8: Traffic congestions on various thoroughfares and roads have become a routine as the civic agencies concerned could not carry out proper patchwork on eroded roads in various localities.

Motorists and motorcyclists, who slow down their vehicles over a pothole, are sometimes intercepted and deprived of their cellular phones, cash and belongings by bandits. The potholes and craters on various roads somehow make the criminals’ job easier.

The potholes and ditches developed on various roads also cause damages to vehicles using the broken roads. More than a month lapsed since the downpour lashed the city, a number of roads with potholes and ditches have not been repaired.

A motorist in Gulistan-i-Jauhar’s Block-12 said: “I have got the suspension and shock-absorbers of my car repaired some six months back but the car again needs repairs due to deep potholes and ditches all the way from Jauhar Mor to my home in Block-12.”

The road running from Jauhar Chowrangi to University Road has almost become non-motorable due to the leakage of underground water pipeline. Residents said that the water is supplied to the localities on alternate days.

They said that on the supply day the road was submerged with water. The continuous leakage of water eroded the carpeted road and created deep potholes making it impossible for vehicles to use it. The authorities concerned appeared least interested in plugging the leakages in pipelines and repairing the road for use.

As the road is in dilapidated condition, motorists mostly use the overcrowded Rashid Minhas Road to reach Jauhar Chowrangi via NIPA and Safari Park.

One track of University Road from Safoora Goth roundabout to Jauhar Complex has developed deep potholes forcing commuters to use one track for two-way traffic.The commuters and motorists living in Gulistan-i-Jauhar have been fed up with the indifferent attitude of civic authorities and demanded the government to look into the matter.

Besides, the Rashid Minhas Road developed craters near Gulshan Chowrangi a few months back. Since then it has been left unattended by the civic agencies. Similarly, the road along the turning from Rashid Minhas Road towards Block-15 in Federal B Area along UBL Sports Complex was uneven despite the officials claim that patchwork on the road has been completed.

Similarly, a cut across the road near Gulberg Chowrangi, was carried out and left unattended and another road running from Gulberg Chowrangi to Water Pump intersection was also dug up for laying pipeline and left unattended.

The traffic congestions near Mukka Chowrangi have become a routine since the closure of U-turn near Bhaijan Chowk. All the traffic take a U-turn at Mukka Chowrangi and the traffic jams occur especially in peak hours in the evening. The road running from Azizabad No 8 Chowrangi towards Yaseenabad and Gulshan-i-Iqbal was repaired overnight, but the potholes and ditches on other roads leading to Dastagir and Karimabad from Comprehensive School Chowrangi are yet to be repaired.

The patches filled and carpeted on Abdullah Haroon Road from Zainab Market to Regal Chowk and Sir Aga Khan III Road near JJ Hospital appeared as speed breakers, since the patchwork was not done according to the road level. The patchwork in front of Capri Cinema on M.A. Jinnah Road was also not less than a speed breaker where the fast moving traffic has to slow down abruptly which may cause accidents.

The newly-constructed road from Water Pump to Aisha Manzil intersection in Federal B Area has also developed potholes near Arshi Shopping Centre. The same thoroughfare developed deep craters in front of Mothercare Hospital but the city government has yet to take its notice.

A big crater developed right from the ascending of the Liaquatabad flyover while going from Liaquatabad to Aisha Manzil in Federal B Area. The crater poses serious threats to motorists and especially motorcyclists.

Many complaints were lodged with the civic agency concerned but the road has not been repaired. The same track turns uneven soon after the descending of the flyover on Sharah-i-Pakistan. The fast moving traffic take brakes and causes accidents on daily basis.

One of the busiest roads, Deen Mohammad Wafai Road running from Shaheen Complex to Arts Council remained uneven despite the officials claim that patchwork on the road has been completed.

The substandard patchworks do not serve the very purpose and the traffic remains congested at the spots where the patchwork was done.