Karachi: Rs 3b on 2nd signal-free corridor, nothing for Khi’s falling bridges

[Naveed Yaseen]

By Jamil Khan
KARACHI: The second signal-free corridor from Shahrah-e-Faisal to Surjani Town was inaugurated on Thursday by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, City Nazim Mustafa Kamal and Naib Nazim Nasreen Jamil at a glittering ceremony at the Governor House lawns. Although the city government has spent almost Rs 3 billion on this new corridor, it has not taken any measures to improve the city’s existing bridges that have been in very poor conditions for a long time.

Various consul generals, business representatives, MNAs, MPAs, town nazims and TV artists were present at the ceremony. Governor Khan appealed to all political parties to show unity in their ranks for the country as passing into a very critical time. He further asked the business community to play their role and work together for the prosperity of country’s economic and overall stability.

He also appreciated the vision and efforts of the city government in completing the signal-free corridor in a record timeframe and setting a new trend for the development sector.

Earlier, City Nazim Mustafa Kamal briefed the audience about the 19.5-kilometer long corridor, with five overpasses and one underpass, catering to eight towns.

On the other hand, a number of bridges have completed their designated life and now need serious repairs to prevent accidents, which may result in the loss of human life.

The bridges in the worst conditions include the Jam Sadiq Bridge near Qayyumabad Chowrangi, Natha Khan Bridge on Shahrah-e-Faisal, Teen Hatti Bridge in Liaquatabad, Fatima Jinnah Bridge near Cantonment Railway Station and Essanagri Bridge on Sir Shah Suleman Road.

A private consultant had declared the Jam Sadiq and Natha Khan bridges unfit for further use about eight months ago but the city government has still not taken any steps to repair the bridge.

Sources in the works and services department told Daily Times that after the consultant’s proposal all the necessary repair work has been done on both bridges on priority basis.

Despite the claims made by the officials, the Jam Sadiq Bridge’s condition has worsened in the last few months and its joints have widened, which creates a major threat, especially for motorcyclists.

It may also be mentioned that during the last two years, the Jam Sadiq Bridge connecting Korangi Industrial Area with the rest of the city near Qayyumabad roundabout has been closed three times for repairs.

The Natha Khan Bridge on Shahrah-e-Faisal near Shah Faisal Colony has many potholes and the surface is in a desperate need of getting re-carpeted.

The conditions of Fatima Jinnah Bridge, Essanagri Bridge and Teen Hatti Bridge are also pathetic as their joints have widened and act as speed breakers. These faults not only cause obstacles in the smooth flow of traffic but also damage vehicles.

The footpaths and the side railings on these bridges have been broken for the last couple of years.

At the Essanagri Bridge, the work on one of the tracks of the Lyari Expressway Project is causing inconvenience for the regular traffic.

The overall situation of the two important bridges in the city, the PIDC Bridge (known as Lily Bridge) and City Railway Station Bridge (connecting I.I. Chundrigar Road to Mai Kolachi) also need attention of authorities as the footpaths, side railings and the surfaces have become an inconvenience for the motorists.

Most of these bridges do not have proper electricity connections and many streetlights are missing, adding to the problems of the motorists.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...008_pg12_1