Flood-hit Chitralis demand restoration of links

Locals stage protest, ask govt to repair damaged bridges and water pipes

CHITRAL:

Residents of the narrow Golain valley in Chitral, which was hit by flash floods last week, on Sunday demanded that the government restore the damaged road links and communication infrastructure.

Golain is a narrow valley nestled among mountains around 25 kilometres north of Chitral city. Several roads, bridges, water pipelines and telephone lines were damaged in the flash floods.

Despite repeated demands by local communities, no measures have been taken so far to fix them.

Frustrated at government inaction, locals on Sunday staged a protest, blocking the Mastuj road for hours, demanding that the damaged water pipes, destroyed bridge and cut electricity lines to the areas be restored.

They further said that a damaged bridge which people were still using to cross, poses a danger as it lacks any solid railings or sidewalls and people cross it with the help of ropes.

The protesters said that the government should take immediate action against the contractor who built the bridge on the Golain Nullah without flood protection walls - as a result of which it was washed away by the floodwaters.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 20^th, 2020.