Several parts of Karachi on Tuesday witnessed severe traffic, law and order, mainly due to protests against the ongoing work on water and energy infrastructure, according to authorities that fear an escalation in public anger, according to the Officials.
Citizens are likely to suffer a water crisis until Friday, mainly due to the interruption of the water line at University Road, near Old Sabzi Mandi, during the ongoing construction activity for the bus rapid traffic system ( BRT).
The residents of the metropolis faced difficulties to reach their homes, since both roads of several roads in several areas were blocked by protesters, which forced the traffic authorities to divert traffic on alternative routes where a slow movement of vehicles, according to the updates of the Karachi Traffic Police ((KTP).
According to a statement by the KTP spokesman, there were several protests and sitting on the main roads of the city. Except Main Ma Jinnah Road, where the employees retired from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation made demonstrations for their pension emission, all other protests were related to water and energy problems, according to KTP’s statement.
In the southern zone, the area of the old city, particularly Arambagh, Eidgah Chowk, the center of the Tibet and the Fresco Chowk, were the most affected due to the protests against the shortage of water and energy, according to the deputy inspector General of the Police (DIG) Syed Asad Raza.
He said the police expected more protests and sitting with an aggravation of the situation of the law and order, since there were reports that several areas of the metropolis may not obtain water supply until Friday due to the interruption of the line of the line of water near Old Sabzi Mandi.
He said that these civic problems had to address the authorities, since the police could involve protesters in conversations or help divert and regulate traffic, but could not provide water.
Dig Raza said that when he realized the seriousness of the problem, the principal secretary of Sindh was making efforts arranged to review the traffic situation when taking several initiatives, such as the elimination of invasions and more. “It is a long journey, but it must be followed religiously,” said Dig Raza.
The newly appointed traffic pir mohammed Shah said Dawn.com That during the last two months, at least 190 protests and sitting had taken place in the city, mainly due to water and energy problems and other problems.
The most affected areas were Teen Hatti, Guru Mandir, Lyari, Gharifabad, Liaquatabad, Askari Park, Subzi Mandi, Quaidabad, Dawood Chowrangi, Link Road and Sohrab Goth.
He said that two or three protests took place daily against water and energy problems on average. “This is a genuine and serious problem, which must be approached urgently for a flow without traffic problems and prevent traffic chaos,” said Traffic Police chief.
A KTP statement said both Jehangir Road clues near Shah Najaf remained closed by traffic, since residents protested against the lack of water and energy.
The traffic deviated into alternative routes and the road remained closed to traffic until the presentation of this report. Citizens suffered due to traffic chaos on several adjacent roads, such as Chowrangi Numaish to Guru Mandi, Bohadur Yar Jang Road and Business Recorder Road.
Both Jamshed Road tracks near a Pakistan state oil gasoline pump remained closed by traffic for identical water and energy problems. Landhi-89 residents blocked both tracks from the main road due to the lack of water, while Murtaza Chowrangi also remained closed by the same problem. Both clues of the main road in the garden were also closed by traffic due to the protest of residents against the shortage of water and energy.
Similar protests were also reported from the industrial area of Korangi.
