The recent spell of rain has once again peeled away the veneer of Karachi’s infrastructure, exposing what residents have long endured – a city crisscrossed by broken infrastructure and stalled projects that promise much but deliver little. While the mayor has announced a 60-day deadline to restore 106 rain-affected roads and highlighted a Rs28 billion allocation for urban development under the KMC, the lived reality for citizens remains one of endless detours.
The number sounds impressive. Yet, these figures ring hollow when Karachi’s 2,000 arteries remain choked with nearly half of them in ruins, as urban planners point out. Even with the promise of funding, development is patchwork at best, and with the next cycle of rain, the poorly designed roads break down once more. The core fault lies not in resources, but in the severe corruption, mismanagement, and incompetence of the concerned authorities. Karachi is the country’s financial hub, contributing the lion’s share to the national exchequer, and yet it remains one of the most neglected cities
The city and its citizens deserve action. First, a comprehensive overhaul of the sewerage and drainage system must be prioritised, as patchwork road repairs are futile without strong foundations. Second, all major development projects should be subjected to independent audits to curb corruption and ensure transparency. Third, urban planning must replace ad hoc decision-making, with engineers and planners – not political expediency – guiding infrastructure design. Fourth, maintenance mechanisms must be institutionalised, so that roads and utilities do not collapse with every spell of rain. Finally, citizen input should be woven into the city’s planning, because those who suffer daily are best placed to identify what needs urgent attention. A city that fuels the nation cannot be left to drown in neglect.
