YARKHUN: Broghil Road, which connects some of Upper Chitral’s most important and remote areas, has suffered severe river erosion at Skirmot village of Yarkhun.
Large sections of the road have been washed away at multiple points by flooding Yarkhun river, while the remaining parts are in extremely dangerous condition. Despite this, the Communication & Works (C&W) Department and the Upper Chitral district administration remain silent spectators, said social activist Musa Syed.
The responsibility for maintaining and safeguarding Broghil road lies with the C&W Department, but for a long time, there has been neither any repair work nor construction of protective embankments. Locals say every year during the monsoon and spring, the river’s flooding damages the road, but the authorities fail to take timely action.
The apathy of Upper Chitral’s district administration is such that there is no report of any inspection of the affected site or even temporary measures. Local people have repeatedly appealed to the administration, but no practical steps have been taken so far.
Meanwhile, under the Zhupu Bridge, the river has also started eroding the banks rapidly. If preventive measures are not taken promptly, this critical bridge could also face a major disaster. According to local sources, no practical work has been done to build protective embankments or divert the river’s flow.
There is also an urgent need for a solid, alternative bridge at Darband on this important route between Mastuj and Broghil, to ensure connectivity in case of any emergency or failure of the existing bridge.
Residents, social activists and people from Broghil and Upper Yarkhun strongly appeal to the higher authorities, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the relevant departments to imediately secure Broghil Road at Skirmot, take urgent protective measures to stop river erosion under Zhupo Bridge, complete the construction of an alternative bridge at Darband using emergency funds and fill and restore Darband Road to make it usable for transport.
Broghil Road is not just a road, it is the lifeline of the local people, tied to their livelihood, trade, education, and healthcare. Protecting it is a national and humanitarian duty.