Sixth Road Rawalpindi Center of Education, Center of Suffering
By: Zaheer Ahmed Awan
Sixth Road in Rawalpindi is the heart of education. Thousands of students, parents and ordinary citizens pass through this road every single day. Schools, academies and colleges on both sides make this area one of the busiest educational zones of the city. Yet the very institutions meant to provide services and convenience to citizens have become a source of constant suffering. First, the Sixth Road drains and road pavement were built using public funds. The project was presented as completed. Only a short time passed when the Metropolitan Corporation again decided that the road must be widened. New funds were allocated and fresh digging began. At the same time WASA also suddenly initiated a water pipeline project without coordination. Heavy machinery of both departments started work on the same road at the same time. Sixth Road turned into a no-go zone. Walking became difficult and driving almost impossible. Large pits filled with stagnant water, dust, mud and hours-long traffic jams became a daily reality. Thousands of students, children, parents and residents suffered physically and mentally while the officers responsible for this situation sat comfortably in their offices.This problem is not unique to Pakistan. In developed countries, all city infrastructure is planned before any project begins. Roads, drainage, water supply, gas and electricity are managed under a unified master plan. Departments coordinate with each other to avoid repeated digging, delays and waste of public money. Public convenience is the first priority and every project is designed to minimize disturbance. Citizens are informed in advance, alternative routes are prepared, and work is completed within a strict timeline. In contrast, our system has no coordination, no accountability and no planning. Departments start projects independently and continuously damage each other’s work. Millions of rupees are spent again and again on the same location. Roads are broken repeatedly and the people who pay taxes are punished without reason.The current condition of Sixth Road is the clearest evidence of this negligence. Whenever it rains or water leaks, large pits are filled with dirty water. Mosquitoes breed, smell spreads, and diseases such as dengue become a real threat. Students reach schools already tired and stressed. Parents worry every day and ordinary citizens are stuck in endless traffic. This is the capital district of a large city, not a remote village, yet public departments treat it as if citizens do not matter. The officers of MCR and WASA show no urgency and no sense of responsibility. They have pushed the people of Rawalpindi into this daily misery while they enjoy the comfort of their homes and offices.In every successful country, the duty of the government is to protect time, money and health of its citizens. When a road is built, no department is allowed to dig it again unless all infrastructure is synchronized. Failed projects are investigated, responsible officers are questioned and financial loss is recovered. Here, millions of public funds are wasted without accountability. There is no transparency and no punishment. The result is frustration, distrust and anger among citizens. People expect better and they deserve better.
This issue is not only about a road. It is about urban management, public health and respect for citizens. A city that has so many schools and young students must have safe, clean and functional roads. Sixth Road has become an example of how poor planning destroys public trust. The chaos, noise, dust, blocked drains and stagnant water are destroying quality of life. Every working day begins with irritation and ends with exhaustion. This is not development. This is mismanagement.The citizens of Rawalpindi demand from the Chief Minister of Punjab that a high-level investigation must be conducted. Responsible officials of MCR and WASA who caused financial loss and public suffering must face strict action. The construction of Sixth Road must be completed urgently and properly. The people who live here, who study here and who travel daily deserve dignity and relief. Development is not digging the same road again and again. Real development is planning, coordination, transparency and respect for the public.
Read in Urdu: سکستھ روڈ تعلیمی اداروں کا مرکز شہری مسلسل اذیت میں
