Construction on a road designed to relieve traffic jams between Natha Khan Bridge and Gulistan-e-Jauhar sparked a clash between Karachi Metropolitan Corporation workers and railway police, as officers stopped the labor and held a city wardens director following claims of physical abuse.
KMC representatives stated that the conflict began during paving operations close to Chakor Nala, when railway officers showed up and ordered workers to stop.
An argument between the two groups turned physical with pushing, creating a volatile atmosphere at the location.
KMC staff reported that the Railway Police SHO brought a team of officers, arrested City Wardens Director Saim Imran, and drove him away in a police cruiser.
They also stated that Imran and other municipal employees suffered physical violence.
Meanwhile, railway officials explained that the dispute arose because the route was being built on property owned by the Karachi Circular Railway.
Law enforcement officials stated that the project was halted because builders lacked the necessary authorization.
Ishrat Hussain, the executive engineer managing the project, condemned the railway police and accused the SHO of using aggressive methods against municipal workers.
He noted that the project was active when officers intervened and argued that railway officials should have used formal channels to express concerns.
He additionally claimed that railway administration demanded massive amounts of money for no-objection certificates, stating that Rs20m was paid to build a bridge at Bhains Colony.
Hussain pointed to a furniture market on Sehba Akhtar Road sitting on railway property, questioning why authorities failed to take similar action there.
He mentioned that Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab is reviewing the situation, emphasizing that the connecting road is a public initiative meant to ease congestion and accusing officials of placing unwarranted barriers in its path.
