KCCI Urges CM Sindh to Intervene Over Non-Restoration of Roads After SSGC Pipeline Works

Accountability and Immediate Restoration of Karachi’s Dug-Up Roads Demanded

KARACHI: Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) Zubair Motiwala and President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) Muhammad Rehan Hanif, while expressing serious concern over the extensive road excavation activities being carried out by Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) across various parts of Karachi for the laying, replacement, rehabilitation and upgrading of gas pipelines, stated that although the business community fully recognizes the importance of modernizing gas infrastructure to improve service delivery, enhance safety standards and minimize leakages, the manner in which these activities are being undertaken has become a source of immense hardship for the citizens and businesses of Karachi.

In a letter sent to Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah, Zubair Motiwala and Rehan Hanif pointed out that over the past several months, roads in numerous commercial, industrial and residential areas have been excavated for pipeline-related works. However, it has been widely observed that after completion of the excavation and pipeline installation process, many of these roads have either not been reconstructed at all or have remained in a damaged condition for extended periods. As a result, commuters, transporters, residents and businesses continue to face severe difficulties on a daily basis.

They said that the deteriorated condition of roads has significantly aggravated traffic congestion across the city, increased travel time and transportation costs, caused damage to vehicles and created serious safety risks for motorists, motorcyclists, pedestrians and school-going children. The situation is particularly alarming in commercial and industrial zones where the movement of goods, employees, customers and suppliers is being adversely affected. Given Karachi’s status as the economic engine of Pakistan, any disruption to mobility directly impacts business productivity and economic activity, ultimately affecting the overall economy.

They emphasized that the business community is unable to understand how such large-scale excavation activities can be permitted without a comprehensive and enforceable arrangement for the prompt reconstruction and restoration of the affected roads. It is difficult to comprehend that roads funded through public resources can be dug up extensively and left unattended for months after completion of the utility works. The prevailing situation, they said, raises legitimate concerns regarding the regulatory framework, contractual obligations and institutional responsibilities governing such projects.

Chairman BMG and President KCCI called upon the Government of Sindh to clarify under what terms and conditions SSGC has been granted permission to undertake road-cutting activities throughout the city and whether such permissions include mandatory provisions requiring the company to restore roads to their original condition immediately upon completion of pipeline works. They further questioned that if road restoration is not the direct responsibility of SSGC, then it is equally important to determine which department has been assigned this responsibility and what mechanism exists to ensure the timely execution of restoration works.

They further stated that reports suggest substantial amounts are collected from utility companies in the form of road-cutting and restoration charges before excavation work is permitted. If such charges are indeed being collected, the business community is concerned as to why the restoration process is not being completed expeditiously and where the bottlenecks exist that continue to leave roads in a damaged state for prolonged periods. They maintained that the public has a right to know how these funds are being utilized and which institution is accountable for ensuring that affected roads are reconstructed without unnecessary delay.

Highlighting the lack of coordination among the concerned agencies, Zubair Motiwala and Rehan Hanif observed that the current situation reflects ineffective coordination among SSGC, local government authorities, municipal agencies and other relevant institutions. Citizens, they said, should not be made to suffer because of administrative gaps or overlapping jurisdictions between various departments. While infrastructure development is undoubtedly necessary, it must be undertaken in a manner that safeguards public convenience, road safety and economic activity. They stressed that a coordinated mechanism is urgently required to ensure that excavation, utility installation and road restoration are treated as integral components of a single project rather than separate and disconnected responsibilities.

Considering the widespread public inconvenience and the adverse impact on commercial and industrial activities, Chairman BMG and President KCCI urged Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah to order a comprehensive review of the existing policy and operational framework governing road excavation activities by utility companies. They also requested that all relevant stakeholders be directed to immediately restore roads where pipeline works have already been completed and establish a transparent accountability mechanism that clearly defines the responsibilities and timelines of each concerned agency.

Zubair Motiwala and Rehan Hanif expressed confidence that under the leadership of the Chief Minister, the issue would receive the urgent attention it deserves and effective measures would be taken to protect the interests of Karachi’s citizens, businesses and industries while ensuring that essential infrastructure development projects are carried out in a more organized, accountable and citizen-friendly manner.