Sir,Through your newspaper I would like to draw the attention of the relevant authorities towards the problem of accidents on the Superhighway.
Just after Al-Asif Square concrete and sand sellers are using the vacant area to store their raw material. As a result, most of that part of the highway is covered with sand and concrete.
Trucks cause traffic jams the whole day and on an average, there are two accidents a day at that spot. However, no one in authority has done anything about clearing encroachments from this key artery. In fact, the number of trucks parked at the spot is increasing day by day.
Kindly clear the Superhighway so that there would be no more waste of time due to traffic jams and no more waste of life due to accidents.
M. HAMZA QURESHI Gulshan-i-Maymar Drainage problems
Sir, I am writing to you in the interest of residents of Nursery and adjoining areas of PECHS Blocks 2 and 6, who suffer badly every year due to a number of reasons given below.
The general public suffers immensely when rains cause flooding of Sharea Faisal. Due to climatic changes, Karachi has been experiencing heavy rains. If it rains for even a couple of hours, there is an emergency situation in the city.
Being a resident of Shahrah-i-Quaideen, I wish to suggest the following solutions which may help solve problems associated with flooding.
The rain drainage nullah should be widened and made deeper. Concrete barriers should be built on all sides and high fencing should be erected so that no garbage is thrown in the nullah. The nullah should be used only for drainage of rainwater and all sewage discharge should be disconnected and connected to sewerage lines.
Most importantly, ever since the bypass was built at the junction of Shahrah-i-Quaideen and Sharea Faisal (near Nursery), it has been noticed that rainwater chokes at the spot where the nullah is connected to the nullah on other side of Sharea Faisal. This bottleneck retards the flow of rainwater causing flooding.
To avoid this bottleneck, I suggest the nullah be diverted from its course under the bypass bridge and be connected with the nullah passing under Sharea Faisal. Also, the reasons for abandoning the rain drainage system inaugurated by the last nazim are not known to the public. I suggest that the same project be completed before the next monsoon rains. The system of garbage collection in PECHS Blocks 2 and 6 should also be arranged by the relevant civic body with the help of the residents’ committee.
I hope the administration will take notice of my suggestions.
ALI MOHAMMAD PECHS Murghi Khana flyover
Sir, At last the Murghi Khana flyover has been reconstructed. The flyover, which connects Murghi Khana (Quaidabad) to Malir was previously reconstructed during Niamatullah Khan’s term as city nazim. No one reconstructed the flyover since his departure.
In this regard, various letters were published in different newspapers to attract the attention of the authorities concerned.
Previously, two-way traffic moved on the flyover without any short wall that could separate the flyover into two different roads. Now the city government has constructed a short wall so that accidents can be averted.
But the real issue that was previously raised through letters remains: there are various joints on the flyover that jut out and cause great jerks and jolts to traffic, especially motorbikes. We see a motorcycle accident every day due to this.
The authorities concerned must take further steps to improve or repair the joints and level the roads on the flyover for the safety of the public.
HAFIZ MUHAMMAD NOMAN Via email
Pedestrian bridge
Sir, A pedestrian bridge is needed at the KDA Chowrangi, Block B, North Nazimabad, as it is almost impossible and dangerous to cross the wide road for pedestrians.
Therefore, I would request the authorities to build a pedestrian bridge at the spot on a priority basis.
SAQIB M. RASHID Via email Unexpected strikes
Sir, Countless unexpected strikes in the metropolis are playing havoc with the education system. The strikes paralyse life in Karachi, making it difficult for citizens to attend offices and academic institutions.
Students stayed at home for more than a week last month. Exams were postponed due to incomplete academic sessions. This can have serious consequences on the students’ academic growth. Public transport operators protested against the recent increase in oil and gas rates. They did not seem to consider the inconvenience faced by students because of these strikes.
The issue needs to be highlighted so that the government takes measures to control the increasing number of strikes, which are disturbing the process of learning.
MUNA AFTAB University of Karachi mailbag@dawn.com