The industrial areas of Landhi and Bin Qasim towns have been facing many problems due to a slow pace of construction of Malir-15 Bridge, which has been going on for the last 25 months, resulting in prowling and posing threat to foreign visitors. "It is beyond our comprehension to understand why unnecessary delay in the construction work of the bridge is being carried out, causing a number of issues including law and order for industries located in the area," said Zain Bashir, President Landhi Association of Trade and Industry (Lati).
He further said that worst traffic jam is witnessed in the locality every day Construction work on the bridge was inaugurated by former Karachi administrator Rauf Akhter Faroqui on December 14, 2013 but even after passage of more than 24 months the project hasn't been completed yet.
He added that Landhi Association of Trade and Industry (Lati) and Bin Qasim Association of Trade and Industry (Bqati) have long been drawing the attention of authorities concerned towards this issue but no heed has been paid to resolve it so far. They have written letters to authorities including Commissioner Karachi and Governor Sindh many times during this course of time.
It is to be noted that Landhi and Bin Qasim towns are the largest industrial areas of the country with big exporters to have huge shares in the national economy. 'There is already a lack of infrastructure in Landhi and Bin Qasim industrial areas. To add to the misery, the indifferent attitude of different administrative authorities and departments are making problems more severe,' he added.
He said the associations wrote to Director General Technical Services KMC earlier stating that the condition of roads in Landhi industrial area is terrible causing traffic jams in peak hours daily. 'Damages/potholes on roads are main reason behind traffic jams and snatching/looting. Many employees of the areas are being deprived of their valuables and now people are scared of working in Landhi,' stated the letter.
The associations reminded Niaz Soomro through letters again that the stakeholders of the said industrial areas are in immense danger. 'There is a need to address these issues on priority basis before they get worst. Besides other issues like broken roads, overflowing of Nullahs, potholes, ditches, there are damaged roads at Malir-15 due to construction of Malir-15 bridge,' stated the letter.
On September 22, the associations wrote a letter to Director General Sindh Rangers Major General Bilal Akber on this issue of Malir-15 Bridge. 'Many foreigners frequently visit companies in the areas and such types of incidents are creating a bad impression on foreign buyers,' said Zain. He said the association wrote another letter to Niaz Soomro on November 12 highlighting damaged roads of National Highway. 'There are several damages, potholes, ditches on National Highway from Quaidabad to Bin Qasim turning points. These ditches are causing daily accidents, traffic jams, snatching etc on daily basis. The associations reminded Niaz Soomro through a letter on December 4th and requested him to give this matter a top priority. But till date nothing has been done to resolve the dilemma of the construction of Malir-15 Bridge.