Karachi, a metropolis once celebrated as the vibrant 'City of Lights,' is now grappling with a profound infrastructural decay that cripples daily life. The city's road network, a fundamental requirement for any modern urban center, has deteriorated to a point where it fails to meet even the most basic standards of functionality and safety.
The Anatomy of a Crisis: Potholes, Pollution, and Peril
The daily commute in Karachi has transformed into a grueling ordeal. Broken roads and a proliferation of seemingly endless, under-construction flyovers have turned major arteries into obstacle courses. Beyond the notorious traffic jams, a more insidious problem plagues citizens: the constant cloud of dust and dirt kicked up from damaged road surfaces. This particulate pollution has become a permanent feature of the air, exacerbating respiratory illnesses among the millions who navigate the city each day.
Common sights now include bursting sewage lines that flood streets, deep potholes that damage vehicles, and poorly designed speed breakers that are hazards in themselves. The planning, or lack thereof, extends to traffic flow, where limited and ill-conceived U-turn points worsen congestion and, alarmingly, encourage dangerous wrong-way driving as frustrated motorists seek shortcuts.
A City Left Behind
While global megacities advance with smart infrastructure and aesthetic urban planning, Karachi struggles with the most elementary aspects of civic management. As Pakistan's economic powerhouse and largest city, the expectation of a well-maintained, efficient road network is not a luxury but a necessity for progress. The current state represents a systemic failure that directly impacts economic productivity, public health, and the overall quality of life.
The Urgent Call for Action
The silent struggles of Karachi's residents echo through every bumpy ride and every hour wasted in traffic. Failed and incomplete road infrastructure stands out as one of the city's most pressing and visible issues. Addressing this crisis demands urgent, large-scale intervention from authorities. Comprehensive repair, rational planning, and accountable execution are non-negotiable if Karachi is to reclaim its promise and ensure the well-being of its people. The time for patchwork solutions is over; the city needs a fundamental overhaul of its transport bones for any hope of a brighter future.
Silent Struggles | ANAS NAUSHAHI, Karachi
