C&W abandons, NHA delays taking over of major roads
CHITRAL: Though communication and works (C&W) department has abandoned three major Chitral roads after their federalization last year, National Highway Authority (NHA) is yet to take them over.
As a result, there is practically no one to repair or maintain the three roads. these roads are: Chitral-Mastuj road, Chitral-Garam Chashma road and Chitral-Kalash valley road.
The residents feared that these roads would become more troublesome during rain/snowfall and landsliding in winter.
Due to the lack of non-repair for years, these main arteries in Chitral are already in a dilapidated condition.
Officials said the C&W department cannot spend a single rupee on maintenance of the three roads as they have already been federalized.
The roads were federalized in haste to construct them in line with international standards. Funds have been allocated for the projects but further process has slowed down.
Also read: Work on Garam Chashma road to begin this year: claims MPA
The officials said no technical official from the NHA visited Chitral to assess the topography and other aspects of the roads. The NHA in the past cited shortage of funds to construct the roads.
The Chitral-Mastuj road is 109 km long, Chitral-Garam Chashma road is 67 km up to Parabeg and Chitral-Kalash valley road is 44 km up to Bumburate.
The dilapidated roads remain blocked for hours whenever it rains and they are also prone to landsliding.
When contacted, District Development Advisory Committee Chairman MPA Wazirzada acknowledged the vacuum caused by the federalization of the roads. He said it could lead to frequent blockades of roads during rainy days.
He said the deputy commissioner of lower Chitral was taking up the matter with officials of the NHA.–Zahiruddin
It is the responsibility of our elected representatives to take up the matter with the concerned ministries for release of funds and early start of repair works on these roads. Since they have the mandate of the people who have elected them as their represetatives, these elected represetatives have a duty to solve people’s problems.