Karachi's first Underpass opened for traffic

The city's first underpass constructed under the Tameer-i-Karachi programme at a cost of Rs. 170 million was opened for traffic on Saturday (Oct 1, 2005) after its formal inauguration by the Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, Senator Babar Khan Ghouri.
The 550-meter long underpass, with a 60-metre long bridge, is constructed at Schon Circle, and is part of the Rs.700 million Mai Kolachi bypass development project being implemented by Karachi Port Trust (KPT).
Speaking at the ceremony, Senator Ghouri said though there was work remaining at the underpass, it was thought proper to open it for vehicular traffic for the convenience of people especially in view of the approaching month of Ramadan.
He appreciated shopkeepers on both sides of the underpass site for bearing with them the period of construction, and said once the side roads were completed, their problems would also be resolved.

[Extracted from the daily Dawn. Read the whole article here]

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Now, you need to read this. Over here, it was informed that the underpass will be completed in 4 and a half month(i.e. in August), but it has taken 6 months now and there is still work remaining at the underpass!!!

Cowasjee and I were (and are still) adamant on our argument against the construction of this underpass. When I got affected by the construction process, I posted my arguments (along with Cowasjee's annoyance) against the underpass. Though I haven't been by the underpass yet, but I believe there is less advantage of its contruction. There are a few people who say that now the traffic will move more freely and smoothly. But let me remind them, there was no commotion previously. I have been living here since 6-7 years, and I've never experienced any traffic jam between Do Talwar to Schon circle and from there to Teen Talwar. Therefore, I really do not get the logic of the construction of this (still incomplete) project.

I would keep complaining about the "work remaining at the underpass", because it had to be completed in August! The authorities were sure of it, that's why they claimed that the underpass would be completed within a record time of four and a half months. It means, it had to be completed in August. August passed. September passed. And on October 1st, the authorities happily opened the still-imcomplete underpass for the public. What does this show? The negligence of the authorities, or their poor statistics?

As in this of my post I have stated the sufferings of the residents (and shopkeepers) near the contruction site, I don't think I need to reiterate my point here.

You all are well aware that Karachi is a city which does not recieve heavy monsoon rains. From March/April (when the construction started) to this day, we experienced very nominal rains. (Don't forget, Karachi is a huge city and sometimes only half the city recieves rain and the other half remains dry). We also do not have those deadly hurricanes. Then, what catastrophic incident led to the delay in the contruction process???

Will this incomplete underpass satisfy Cowasjee's and my arguments? Will it change our views? The time will tell!
Let's hope this project gets completed soon because now, I'm sure, people cannot have more of it.

Cheerio.

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