Badin: Residents of Badin staged a massive protest on the Golarchi Road, one of the busiest routes in the district, against the alleged negligence and delay in the road’s completion. The protesters accused the contractor, Dr. Daulat Ram, of abandoning the construction work midway, leaving the road in a dangerous and unusable condition.

The demonstration, which took place near the main Golarchi route, drew hundreds of residents, traders, and commuters, all expressing their frustration over the deteriorating state of the road. The protesters carried placards and chanted slogans such as “Complete the road – we demand justice!” and “Take action against the contractor!” They blocked sections of the road temporarily, bringing traffic to a standstill, as a sign of public anger and disappointment.

According to local sources, the road project was assigned to contractor Dr. Daulat Ram several months ago. However, despite initial work being started, the project has reportedly been stalled for weeks due to financial disputes and alleged payment issues. Some officials claim that the contractor has not been paid by the concerned department, while others allege that he already received payments but failed to deliver on the contract terms.

The protesters argued that the half-completed road has turned into a public hazard. Large potholes and uneven surfaces have emerged along the stretch, making it extremely difficult for vehicles to pass safely. Residents complained that dust and mud clouds created by passing vehicles have made life unbearable for nearby shopkeepers and pedestrians. Many people have developed respiratory problems, including persistent coughing and asthma, due to the constant exposure to dust.

“The contractor started work with great promises, but soon disappeared,” said a local shopkeeper during the protest. “Now, our businesses are suffering, accidents are increasing, and the government remains silent.”

Local traders also voiced anger at the district administration, accusing it of turning a blind eye to the worsening conditions. They stated that road construction projects in other parts of the country are completed quickly due to public importance, but in Badin, delays and negligence have become the norm. “Everywhere else, major roads are finished in record time, but here in Badin, projects are launched only to be abandoned halfway,” a protest leader remarked.

Protesters further alleged that corruption and commissions might be behind the delay. “It seems funds have either been misused or withheld,” said one of the participants. “The administration must clarify whether the delay is due to non-payment or political interference. The public deserves to know.”

Residents also criticized the encroachment operations carried out earlier on both sides of the road, claiming that despite shops and structures being demolished in the name of development, the project has failed to progress. “Authorities removed our shops and structures, promising a wider and better road, but after that, nothing happened,” said another protester. “Now we are left with broken roads, dust, and no livelihood.”

The ongoing disruption on Golarchi Road has also created severe traffic congestion, especially during rush hours. With broken patches, uneven surfaces, and missing signage, accidents have become frequent. Commuters complain that even short-distance travel now takes double the usual time, causing losses to local businesses and daily wage workers.

A local doctor from Badin Civil Hospital confirmed that the number of patients suffering from dust-induced respiratory illnesses has increased significantly over the past few months. “Children and elderly people are the worst affected,” he said. “The unpaved sections of the road constantly produce thick dust clouds, which are causing allergic reactions and breathing difficulties.”

Community leaders at the protest demanded immediate government intervention. They urged the Deputy Commissioner of Badin and higher authorities in the Sindh Works and Services Department to take strict action against the contractor for negligence and to resume work without further delay. “If the road is not completed soon, we will expand our protest across the district,” the demonstrators warned.

Several political and social activists also joined the protest, expressing solidarity with the affected citizens. They criticized what they called the “systemic failure” of governance in Sindh’s infrastructure projects. “This is not just about one road—it is about the inefficiency that plagues our entire system,” said a local rights activist. “Funds are announced, tenders are approved, but the work either never begins or stops halfway.”

An official from the district administration, speaking anonymously, admitted that the project has been facing “fund release issues,” which caused delays in payments to the contractor. However, he assured that efforts are being made to resolve the matter. “The project is still under the development plan, and funds will be released soon,” he said.