Rocky thoroughfare: Dilapidated state of Malam Jabba Road irks locals

Say work started but then stopped owing to ‘lack of funds’

MINGORA: The dilapidated condition of the main road leading to Malam Jabba has not only piqued tourists and locals, but also exposed negligence on part of the federal and provincial governments.

Locals have gone on strikes and protested many a times so as to compel the government to reconstruct Malam Jabba Road, a resident of the nearby area, Muhammad Ali, said while talking to The Express Tribune. “The people would call off their strike and disperse after being assured by the government that the road would be reconstructed,” he added. “However, repair work on the road remains a dream for us.”

While hinting at the mismanagement and alleging corruption, Charbagh tehsil councillor Mian Saeed said last year the K-P government awarded a tender of Rs450 million to a company for the construction of the 35-kilometre road from Manglore to Malam Jabba.

“The work started, but then stopped and is on hold since the last five months – the contractor cites lack of funds as the reason behind the work not resuming.”

He added if the contractor was not wrong and there was an actual need for funds, then the provincial government should immediately release the amount so that construction resumes.

“If it is corruption and mismanagement that has left the project hanging then the K-P government must take stern action against the contractor,” he demanded.

Meanwhile, locals lashed out at the Charbagh Tehsil Municipal Administration for temporarily filling up ditches to assist the VIP movement, during the visit of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairperson Imran Khan on September 1.

However, there are still people who are willing to cross the rough path to get to Malam Jabba. “Taking a ride on the cable car there is so much fun,” Kanwal Hussain, a tourist from Lahore said while talking to The Express Tribune. But she too was concerned for the run-down road.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2016.