INFRASTRUCTURE
Disruption in economic life is inevitable when it comes to delayed road works. But it is also a fact that the people at large take notice of such a delayed road project only when they realize the negative impact that it is having on their businesses, their incomes and their daily routines.
Connecting several areas and towns with the main artery of a mega city, a highway happens to be an economic corridor, especially when it is located right at the hub of industrial activities and is used by cargo trucks, including all kinds of light and heavy vehicles.
Due to its crucial significance, a highway has to be operated and maintained according to international standards, helping traffic to move smoothly without any interruption round the clock.
However, when it comes to Karachi’s National Highway, it continues to be in a deplorable state for a long period, but has yet to get the attention of the concerned authorities despite being on the verge of collapse.
The starting 25-kilometre section of the National Highway, falling within the jurisdiction of Karachi city, is in a state of sorry disrepair. Various parts of the road are totally broken or severely damaged. Owing to the depleting infrastructure, a long stretch of the highway is inundated by sewage water and has been reduced into a total mess.
While the poor road infrastructure is in urgent need of an major revamp, the National Highway Authority (NHA) does not seem to be taking the matter seriously, paying no attention to timely repairs and maintenance of the road, which is used by thousands of commuters every day and they are left with no option but to keep using the highway in its present condition, all the delays and hindrances included, since there is no alternate route available.
The pathetic condition of the Highway and Korangi road link leads to prolonged traffic snarls throughout the day. At the same time, road users and inhabitants living in adjacent areas are exposed to excessive dust and smoke, resulting in outbreak of various diseases in the surrounding population. Besides adding smog in an already polluted environment, the wear and tear of the road is further exacerbated when it is used by people as a dumping ground to dispose of garbage and waste, while illegal encroachments along the roadsides narrow its width further, thus making it quite difficult for traffic to move.
Making the most of the clogged traffic and broken road surfaces, a number of street criminals and local gangs use the National Highway as an ideal spot to snatch mobile phones, money and other valuables from the road users at gunpoint. The sad part of the story is that such muggings are committed throughout the day, while the police are unable to provide any protection to the people who are left at the mercy of criminals and looters.
At no point has an effort been made by the city authorities or the constructing agencies to communicate with the residents and industries in the affected areas – or to provide an alternate route so that economic and industrial activity is not affected.
The major industrial sectors of Korangi as well as Landhi and Bin Qasim, which contribute around 20-25 percent to the national exchequer and provide employment to more than 400,000 persons, are severely affected by the delayed construction of the road.
Considering the fact that the National Highway leads to such major industrial sites as the Export Processing Zone and Bin Qasim, as well as the industrial areas of Landhi and Korangi, it is always required to be in a perfect condition and well in order but this is not the case. Other than connecting the industrial areas, the road caters to residents living in Shah Faisal Colony, Model Colony, Azeem Pura, Saudabad, Malir, Quaidabad and Gulshan-e-Hadeed.
The National Highway leads to the KE Bin Qasim Power Station, Karachi Airport, Civil Aviation Authority headquarters and the Malir City Court. It also connects a number of railway stations, regional offices and substations of PTCL, schools, colleges and hospitals, which are all located along the route.
Another important factor is that two important national educational institutions, namely the Textile Institute of Pakistan (TIP) and the Foundation for Advancement of Science & Technology (FAST) are located on this road. This means that students attending these institutions also have to undergo the same rigours and delays that other commuters face.
The situation becomes especially critical in the mornings when the students of both TIP and FAST have to reach their classes on time. The same also applies to the teaching faculty of both premier institutions. The delays obviously reflect on the performance of the students and teachers and despite their high achievements in the realm of academics, they have to bear the brunt of the inordinate delays caused by the traffic jams.
In order to circumvent the problem, many of the students and teachers have taken to leaving their homes earlier than usual in the mornings to avoid the traffic jams and to reach their classes on time. But this adds to unnecessarily stretching their academic day and this again reflects on their overall performance since their travel hours are extended and they are unable to fully concentrate on their studies.
Due to its strategic location as the main entry point of the city and because of its huge significance to trade and industry, the National Highway can also be referred to as the backbone of the national economy. According to a recent research study, it has been found that the traffic congestion on the road has caused a loss of more than Rs.100 billion and further losses are expected.
It is as a result of the imminent risks and challenges that new investment is being driven away from these industrial hubs. It is but natural that further delay will cause a miserable blow to future investment.
Highways are like the blood circulation system that keeps a person alive. If traffic circulates along these highways without any let or hindrance, just like blood circulates in the human body, it contributes to the health of the economy. It is not that the government is not aware of the crucial role that highways play in the national economy because the National Highway Authority (NHA) as well other relevant departments ensure that highways that criss-cross the country are kept in good working condition and traffic is not allowed to be clogged on these highways.
Why is it then that the all-important National Highway that connects Pakistan’s economic hub with key industrial areas and the rest of the country is ignored? The collapse of the road must be taken as a national concern, instead of being dealt with as a local problem. However, neither the local administration nor the federal government are giving it due importance. Can the national economy continue to bear such losses?
The write is a PR constultant
