Karachi’s bustling Gulistan-e-Johar witnessed the hurried inauguration of the Johar Chowrangi underpass, contrasting sharply with the sluggish pace of surrounding development projects. This abrupt move has left local residents grappling with significant challenges.
Traffic snarls have become a daily ordeal due to an ill-conceived temporary U-turn adjacent to the inaugurated underpass. The traffic congestion is a direct consequence of this makeshift solution.
The underpass area’s quality of work has also come under scrutiny, with non-standard construction noticeable on islands and footpaths. Furthermore, the use of uneven bricks inside the underpass has raised eyebrows among observers.
Rather than resolving water supply line leakages near the underpass, an unorthodox approach taken—soil dumped onto the road to block water seepage into the underpass. This tactic rerouted the water towards a nearby settlement, exacerbating concerns.
Details reveal that the inauguration of the Johar Chowrangi underpass took place recently, officiated by Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab. This move has left Karachi’s citizens, particularly Gulistan-e-Johar residents, puzzled. They question the rationale behind inaugurating the underpass prematurely, considering the outstanding development work still pending in its vicinity.
Speculations arise as to whether the rush to inaugurate the underpass driven by the imminent conclusion of the Sindh government, led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). The initial inauguration date slated for August 14, but the state of incompleteness within the underpass forced a delay. Subsequently, with the change in government, the underpass inaugurated by the outgoing mayor.
This brings to light the recurring pattern of the PPP government inaugurating projects hastily, disregarding their unfinished state. The aftermath often witnesses a deceleration in the project’s completion or its abandonment altogether, resulting in an unsightly reminder of unfulfilled potential.
As the community navigates through the repercussions of this hasty inauguration, concerns loom large about the fate of the incomplete development projects that surround the underpass. Residents hope for a shift towards a more measured and comprehensive approach, ensuring that the city’s infrastructure aligns with its envisioned progress.