Faulty road construction blamed for widespread destruction in Golen
CHITRAL: People of flood-devastated Golen valley are worried over government’s apathy towards the reconstruction of the damaged road to the area without which their miseries are multiplying.
Talking to local reporters at Bubaka village, residents of the area said the road to the valley had been constructed by WAPDA when the headwork of the 108 megawatt Golen Gol powerhouse was being established.
They said due to the poor planning and and substandard work four RCC bridges and the road were swept away by the flood. The alignment of the road was also faulty as it had been kept inside the waterway at Bubaka village due to which it was washed away.
The headwork of the powerhouse was also buried under debris and floodwater is now flowing over it.
The affected people said all water supply lines were also washed away in the floods due to which there was no water for drinking as well as agricultural purposes.
The valley is also without power and the residents urgently need solar power panels. Due to the destruction of the road, all the seven villages in the valley are cut off and the residents are facing an acute shortage of food and other items.
The residents expressed satisfaction over provision of relief goods to the area by different departments and agencies. They also thanked Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) for arranging a chairlift to access the area.
The residents also called upon the government to declare the valley as a calamity-hit area. –Nazir Hussain Shah