KARACHI:Nine pillars of the historic Teen Hatti Bridge have reportedly been damaged by drug addicts who allegedly broke through the concrete to extract and sell reinforcing steel, raising concerns about the safety of the vital structure. The bridge, one of Karachi's oldest, connects Central and East districts and links major thoroughfares including Shahrah-e-Pakistan and Jehangir Road

Thousands of vehicles use it every day., drug addicts gather beneath the bridge at night and use hammers and other tools to break into its pillars and remove steel reinforcement, which is then allegedly sold as scrap. The area beneath the bridge is surrounded by shanties where beggars and drug addicts are frequently seen.

Residents also alleged that drugs are openly sold in the area and that women and young people are among those using narcotics.

They said the presence of drug addicts around the bridge's footpaths had made it increasingly difficult for families, particularly women and children, to pass through the area. Residents alleged that the addicts were also involved in petty theft, waste picking and begging, while sleeping on the bridge's footpaths and in makeshift shelters beneath it.

They expressed concern that the removal of reinforcing steel could weaken the bridge and called for its immediate repair and action against those damaging the structure. Residents said police and the administration occasionally conduct operations and send drug addicts to rehabilitation centres, but many return to the area and relapse after treatment.

Social experts said arrests and rehabilitation alone could not resolve the problem.

They called for sustained rehabilitation, employment opportunities, education and psychological support to help recovering addicts reintegrate into society. They also suggested establishing a permanent monitoring mechanism around the bridge, along with anti-drug awareness campaigns and vocational training for affected individuals.

Meanwhile, KMC spokesperson Daniyal Sial said the civic agency was aware of the issue and that rehabilitation work on the nine affected pillars of Teen Hatti Bridge had begun.