Chitral-Gilgit road turned into ruins

GHIZER, Sept 8: The road between Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral is almost closed for heavy traffic due to its dilapidated condition, creating immense problems for commuters especially traders and transporters.

It may be noted here that two bridges on the highway had been washed away during the floods of 2010 but these bridges have not yet been reconstructed. Besides, due to lack of maintenance, the road has turned into ruin and it takes hours to reach destinations while travelling on the road.

The road is being sued by a large number of commuters belonging to Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral and other parts of the KPK province. It was getting importance as an alternative route to the Karakoram Highway due to poor law and order on the KKH.

During the tenure of former president Pervez Musharraf, bridges were built and the road was repaired and widened. As a result, a bus service was also launched from Gilgit to Mastuj in Chitral. Now people travelling on the road say that they are facing trouble due to the dilapidated condition of the highway as the government has failed to even maintain the road let alone spend more funds on its upgradation.

The people of the area have demanded that the government should order reconstruction of the damaged bridges on the road and also repair the road on an emergency basis.