Get rid of decrepit roads of Karachi.

• Author: Ahmed, Khalil

Byline: Khalil Ahmed

Modern urban transportation and interconnectivity are crucial for the economic uplift of any country in the world. Large cities across the world are mainstay for the economic activities in general. Commuting for work and transporting cargo play a key role in a country's ability to thrive. There are certain classic instances of road network across the world. Australia's Great Ocean Road, Spain's Ruta de la Plata, France's Route Napoleon, Russia's Ring Road, Canada's The Icefield Parkway, Japan's Kanjo Loop, Brazil's Oceanic Avenue, China's Nanjing Road and the USA's I-95 are famous roads in the global arena.

The inhabitants of Karachi are acquainted with the trials and tribulations of transportation system in the city. A city of over 20 million, to be precise, has a pretty decrepit road network. The causes of poor transportation system in Karachi are owing to no alternate routes, no emergency routes, no addition of new roads, the faulty designs of roads, the decades-old drainage system which floods the roads with sewage water, overpopulation and the encroachment by the shopkeepers and residents, to name a few.

The commuters undergo traumatic stress on day to day basis. Not to speak of the construction of new roads for the convenience of the populace of the metropolis, even there is no sign of maintenance of roads frequently traveled in various localities of the city. As per a conservative estimate over three-fourths of the entire road-network of the metropolis is in dire need of attention. There are certain areas where there are a number of schools, colleges, coaching centres where one could see the commuters scuffling with each other every now and again. In retrospect, there is no turnaround in the transportation structure of Karachi today vis-a-visa decade ago. Rather, the number of broken and dilapidated roads are soaring in every nook and corner of the metropolis.

Prompt action has become crucial for the development of the business hub of Pakistan. Population shift has further deteriorated the already scarce resources. In addition to the ravaged roads, encroachment in major areas of the city has compounded the agitation of the commuters. There is rampant encroachment by the shopkeepers, residents etc. in almost every residential area of Karachi whereby adding to the misery of the commuters regularly. Encroachment is done...