Rs90m road dug up months after completion

Fresh excavation in Gulshan-e-Iqbal exposes poor coordination between civic agencies

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KARACHI:

A newly constructed road in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, built at a cost of nearly Rs90 million and hailed as one of the area's few smooth traffic corridors, has been dug up just months after completion, sparking outrage among residents and raising fresh questions about coordination among Karachi's civic and utility agencies.

The road linking Hasan Square to Mustafa Hospital via Gulshan-e-Iqbal Blocks 13-A and 13-B was recently constructed by the Karachi Infrastructure Development Company Limited (KIDL). The route had become a vital alternative for commuters due to the prolonged construction work on University Road and the deteriorating condition of several surrounding roads.

However, residents woke up to find sections of the newly laid road excavated by the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) for gas pipeline works, effectively damaging a project completed at a cost of around Rs90 million. The development has once again highlighted what residents describe as chronic administrative mismanagement and a lack of coordination between government institutions. Across Gulshan-e-Iqbal, roads have already been dug up for sewerage, water supply and utility projects, leaving many streets damaged and traffic severely disrupted. Sources said the excavation was carried out without prior coordination with the Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town administration, prompting town officials to intervene and halt the work.

A senior town official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said SSGC had been issued permission for the gas line project nearly six months ago as part of a major distribution network upgrade. However, the timing of the excavation had not been approved because the road currently serves as one of the few usable routes in the area while several alternative roads remain under construction or in poor condition.

Sources further claimed that the newly built road lacked a dedicated service duct for utility lines, forcing agencies to cut through the carriageway to carry out infrastructure work. Urban planning experts say service ducts are often incorporated into major road projects to prevent repeated excavation and damage.

Residents expressed anger over the situation, questioning how a multi-million-rupee road project could be completed without first addressing utility infrastructure requirements. They demanded an inquiry into the matter and urged the government to fix accountability for what they described as a waste of public funds.

Town officials said both KIDL and SSGC had been informed of the concerns and the disruption caused to thousands of commuters who use the route daily. The road stretches from Hasan Square's Curtain Market area through Daulat Square and Gilani Railway Station to the lane leading to Mustafa Hospital, serving as a key link for residents of Gulshan-e-Iqbal and neighbouring districts.