Godown Road’s poor condition bane for residents of PHA flats

[Salman]

Godown Road in Sector I-11, connecting the Railway Carriage Factory, has been in a dilapidated condition for more than two years creating difficulties for motorists and pedestrians.



The section of the road, passing through the Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA) flats, needs immediate repair as whenever it rains it becomes impossible for motorists and pedestrians to pass through it.



‘The News’ has learnt that dozens of accidents had occurred on the road because of its dilapidated condition. The heavy vehicles, carrying wheat, continuously move in both directions and many a time fully loaded vehicles, losing their balance, had overturned on the road due to large potholes.



Godown Road was constructed 15 years back and its carpeting was done on the directives of the Capital Development Authority (CDA). But now due to its poor condition motorists and pedestrians have to face difficulties to pass through it.



The single-track dilapidated road is the only way for people to approach the Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA) flats. Hundreds of families are settled in more than 400 PHA flats. Motorists are facing great difficulties in driving their vehicles on the road. A major portion of Godown Road, between Railway Carriage Factory and Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA), remains inundated due to overflowing sewage.



Heavy traffic plies on Godown Road because of industrial area. There are more than 20 big and small industrial units, including cold storage, along the road.



Talking to ‘The News,’ motorists and residents of the Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA) said that they have submitted several applications to the Capital Development Authority for repair and renovation of the road, but all in vain. The heavy traffic, including 20-wheelers, trucks and public transport, pass through the road.



Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA) Mohallah Committee Senior Member Muhammad Pervez said that the concerned department and elected members are not taking interest in the development of the locality. “We are facing great difficulties due to dilapidated condition of Godown Road.” He said: “Many a time, CDA officials visited Godown Road and assured us of starting its construction but they never fulfilled their promise.”



Rashid Mehmood, another resident, said that his family shifted here two years ago. Even at that time, the condition of the road was very poor and now it had turned into a nightmare for motorists and pedestrians. “We are thinking about shifting to another place because we could not even move during rainy season due to the dilapidated road,” he claimed.



CDA Director (Roads) Muhammad Shahid, when contacted by ‘The News,’ said that they would start repair work on Godown Road soon. He admitted that Godown Road is a busy road and used by heavy traffic. He said that they have started work on I-11/1 and I-11/2 roads. After their completion, the CDA would start repair work of Godown Road. “Sometimes, we cannot start construction work because of lack of funds,” he said.