Published in Daily Times on October 12, 2006
Sir, Block 9 of Clifton used to be calm, peaceful place until someone in the government came up with the "bright" idea of constructing an under pass there. This project is designed to provide permanent employment to may people and also, of course, ease traffic. Before the recent rains, authorities filled storm water drains with the mud that was removed from under the road to make the underpass. The contractor saved a huge amount that would have been incurred in removing this mud to another location. Everyone can well imagine what happened to the area when the rains came and the drainage system was blocked. When the government wanted to find out why Clifton Road had been turned into a giant swimming pool, they discovered that the storm water drains had been filled with mud and so they dug up most of the service road which runs parallel to the underpass, this was a way to help the rain water find the way to the sea once again. But before they could line the trench with concrete, the rains ended and for more than a month the people who live or work in Block 9 have been at great risk. No one has thought of doing something about the kilometre long trench, which any incoming car can fall into. Knowing how things are done in this country, you can be sure that the ditch and the trench will remain as an albatross around our necks for a very long time.
Shakir Lakhani
Karachi
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