Jauhar flyover crumbles: commuters drive over danger

KARACHI BUREAU —Commuters drive over it every day, largely unaware of the damage eating away at its foundations. The Jauhar Morr flyover, one of Karachi's busy traffic arteries, is showing visible signs of deterioration, with crumbling concrete, exposed rusting steel and reports of vandalism beneath the structure raising fears about public safety.

Located opposite Askari IV, the flyover's supporting pillars have suffered damage at several points. Concrete has broken away to expose the steel reinforcement bars, now visibly corroded, while cracks and chunks of dislodged concrete point to the structure's deteriorating condition. Footage of the flyover shows the extent of the damage, even as traffic continues to flow above and below it.

Adding to the concerns are complaints about the activities of drug addicts who reportedly gather around its foundations at night, damaging parts of the structure and lighting fires beneath it. The smoke has left sections of the flyover's walls blackened with soot. The area also appears to have become a makeshift shelter, with individuals reportedly spending the night beneath the flyover and leaving behind their food and other belongings.

Residents say the condition of a flyover carrying heavy traffic every day cannot be ignored. They fear that continued deterioration, coupled with vandalism and a lack of effective monitoring, could turn the busy thoroughfare into a serious safety hazard. They have called on the relevant authorities to repair damaged sections, secure exposed reinforcement bars and prevent further deterioration.

They have also demanded an end to fires and vandalism beneath the structure, along with effective police patrolling at night. Citizens say authorities must act before neglect turns into a tragedy, rather than wait for an accident to expose the consequences of their inaction.