The Karachi Development Authority's Traffic Engineering Bureau (TEB) reports that 33 traffic signals across the city are currently out of order due to the theft of equipment and cables. Sources from the TEB stated that repairs on these systems were halted for more than a year because of a lack of funding.
More than Rs10 million in payments owed to contractors remain outstanding, according to TEB sources. Workers recently repaired 20 signals, which included five automated units.
Thieves targeted seven signals for cable theft, including those located within the Red Zone. Cables on Ziauddin Road were stolen on three separate occasions.
TEB sources identified 26 other locations where cable and equipment theft rendered signals non-functional. Cables were also taken from signals at Ziauddin Road near Lily Bridge, Boat Basin Chowrangi, Sir Syed Khalid bin Walid Road intersection, Akbar Road, Court Road and Singer Chowrangi.
The Sindh government released Rs100 million to the Karachi commissioner's office to address the issue. Ghaus Bakhsh Abbasi, project director at the Karachi commissioner's office, said that FIRs had been registered and the commissioner had taken up the matter with senior police officials.
A police officer, speaking anonymously, claimed that Safe City cameras are monitored through a centralised control room to enforce traffic laws, trace stolen vehicles, and monitor suspicious activity in Red Zone areas. The same officer suggested that footage could help identify the culprits but blamed police negligence for the lack of action.
A private security guard recently foiled an attempt to steal a newly installed road sign at Boat Basin. TEB sources claimed that police had repeatedly been informed about the thefts but had taken no effective action.
The South district police spokesperson sought a day to comment but did not respond to subsequent calls.
