University road faces monsoon risk

KARACHI: Giving a warning that the construction works currently in progress have made one of the busiest roads of Karachi prone to accidents during the monsoon period, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town Chairman Dr Fawad Ahmed said that the University Road may become "a disaster waiting to happen" due to the possibility of heavy rains before the completion of construction works.

While addressing a press conference at the Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town Municipal Corporation council hall, he expressed his fears over the delay in reconstructing the road from Hassan Square to Nipa as he observed that there were many holes in the road due to the excavations done by the Red Line BRT.

Talking about the flyover planned at the Disco Bakery junction, Dr Fawad described it as unnecessary as it would make traffic situation worse as much of the traffic had been diverted to Shabbir Usmani Road because of construction on University Road.

He said the K-IV augmentation water supply line is also planned to pass through Shabbir Usmani Road, making the flyover impractical.

He added that the concerns had already been conveyed to the Karachi mayor. Presenting the town's performance report, Dr Ahmed announced that Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town's budget for fiscal year 2026-27 stands at Rs4.7795 billion, with 75% allocated for development projects.