A sinkhole appeared on the main road near CM House in Karachi after recent rains, revealing the city’s deteriorating sewerage system once again. This has uncovered not only the systemic flaw but also the provincial government’s lofty promises to deal with the precipitation crisis.
The road, Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road, is a major thoroughfare leading to Clifton, and this is the second sinkhole to appear on it this monsoon season. Since this incident, police have blocked off this road to traffic.
The traffic police say the 15- to 20-foot-deep pothole was caused when a sewerage line with a diameter of 88 inches sank due to its brittle condition. The iron fences were erected by the traffic police as per protocol to prevent any vehicles or pedestrians from falling into the sinkhole.
Staff from the Water Sewerage Board only fix the specific section of sewage pipe that has been damaged. However, the situation repeats itself at a later time, making the issue perpetual. A smaller sinkhole appeared on the same road on July 26, and a larger one recently popped up in front of the Shaheen Complex.
Mahnur is MS(development Studies)Student at NUST University, completed BS Hons in Eng Literature. Content Writer, Policy analyst, Climate Change specialist, Teacher, HR Recruiter.
