Gridlock: Shahra-e-Murree remains blocked for second day

Locals blame GDA for its lax attitude to clear road, keeping tourist area inaccessible

ABBOTTABAD: Shahra-e-Murree remained blocked for the second consecutive day as the relevant authorities failed to clear it after heavy rains that had lashed the area and caused landslides.

The road leading to Nathiagali and Ayubia, picturesque areas in Galiyat Valley, was blocked near Chiraiyan, 24 kilometres away from Abbottabad city.

The police had to divert traffic on Namli Maira Road from Abbottabad side and to Makol-Havelian Road from Murree and Galiyat side. However, heavy traffic, including passenger buses and trucks carrying different food items and objects of daily use, were not allowed.

According to the police, machines to clear the main artery connecting Galiyat Valley with the rest of the country have been moved to the area and are busy clearing landslide. However, since the hill still continues to drift, efforts to open the road for traffic remain unsuccessful.

A police official told The Express Tribune it was premature to say the exact amount of time that was needed to reopen the road for free traffic flow. However, another official said if further landslide stopped, Shahra-e-Murree could be cleared by Wednesday evening.

Casting doubts

Naeem Abbasi, a resident of Nathiagali, told The Express Tribune suspension of traffic on a busy road has exposed the poor performance of Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) that manages Shahra-e-Murree, locally known as Abbottabad-Murree Road.

He said GDA collects taxes and has millions of rupees at its disposal as the allotted budget but had failed to ameliorate the misery
of people.

Abbasi said GDA authorities were aware of the fact that during summer of tourists and picnickers flocked Galiyat Valley but were still slow to respond to the current problem.

He said their lax attitude to clear the main road was inflicting losses of hundreds of thousands to the national exchequer. “Even local businessmen who rely on tourists to make money were suffering as the area remained inaccessible,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21^st, 2016.