Acres of space under the overpasses and bridges is wasted space which no authority seems to own or cares to put to some good use. As a result of the neglect these spaces have become dens of drug addicts, garbage dumps, car parks, homes of beggars, improvised fruit and vegetable depots where crates are stored before they are sold, depots for recyclable paper, plastic bottles and other things that the kabari deals in.
Last but not least is the use of the space as latrine. So while the overpasses and the bridges look smart, giving Karachi a very modern look, the real picture lies underneath. It is like the dirt swept under a carpet, but atleast visitors to your house are not likely to peek under the carpet. As for the space under the overhead bridges and passes, it causes a jolt looking at the chaos. The eyesore sight and the smells of rotting fruits, vegetables and faeces and urine is not only obnoxious it is unhygienic, a trap for so many harmful germs.
The city has an annual clean-up week. Banners are put up telling us to keep the city clean. It seems this is not the duty of the city administration to do so, because I have never ever seen them tackling the real mess under the bridges and overpasses. If anything, the filth and chaos keeps growing by the month and year.
These spaces are used by drug addicts and beggars. This however is not the only evil going on here. It is said that the spaces also serve as the first stage in a big robbery, providing a convenient place for temporarily storing stolen goods, to be transported later. It is also said that some of these places serve prostitutes who cater to very poor clients. Beggar women are said to use the space for prostitution. Of course, it means that they have agents who exploit their earnings. Does the Police know? Of course they know, but have never done anything to clean up these spaces because it is too much real work.
In anybody aware of the potential danger to the bridges and overpasses caused by this neglect? The pillars are dirties with a number of posters pasted over them, getting black and filthy. There are banners strung across, fires are lit, some frenzied truck driver miscalculating a turn or reverse operation bangs into the support pillars. It has happened in several places. Small chips of the pillar are broken off in these accidents. True, the damage is not serious, but continuous small damage can weaken the pillars. Similarly, there has not been a conflagration in the under space as yet, but that does not mean such a thing will never happen. Just look at the piles of wooden crates, or collection of paper waste. These are flammable and an accident is likely in the dry season. The authorities ought to realise the potential danger and clean up the space.
Clifton Bridge is the city's oldest bridge still in use. In fact, it is the only one still standing, since that the Kalapul was dismantled and a new one built in its place. The bridge is historic and declared a heritage site. But conservationists find it difficult to maintain the bridge. Its stonework is slowly cumbling, most of the space underneath is unapproachable, covered with litter, thorny bushes and piles of garbage, besides the presence of drug addicts who have made it dangerous for young women and men conservations to work here. The bridge is also weakening due to water seepage. Without cleaning up the underspace the bridge cannot be maintained. So are the authorities waiting for a disaster to happen before they take notice of the plight of Clifton Bridge?
The use of underspace as garbage dumps and latrines is also a serious problem that needs to be tackled. These neglected spaces will be so used if there is no other place to dump the garbage or because of the dearth of public toilets. The concept of public toilets is poorly managed by the authorities in the few places that they have built latrines. You have them near some public parks. There is also single mobile toilet which is temporarily set up near venues of political meetings. Even when the facility is available people do not use them and prefer to relieve themselves behind the bush or some hole and corner.
The wasted space can be put to good use. Some of the suggestions are to use the space, if it is suitable, for a schools; a nursery for shade-loving plants; a café with tables out in the open; an industrial centre for women to learn embroidery, tailoring and handicraft; a flowershop; a small clinic; and many similar pleasing use of the space is possible.
Architect and conservationist Yasmeen Lari also believes the underspace can be utilised if heritage sites, like the Clifton Bridge, are adopted either by NGOs or educational institutions. Even spaces which are not historical sites can be adopted, surely.
There is no shortage of good ideas but the trouble is that neither the administration of Karachi nor the citizens are motivated to do something. There is a lack of civic sense, even though we are all proud of our city. So we talk a lot and do nothing.