NHA reopens MNJ road ahead of Eid
Motorists travel on Babusar Top which saw the first snowfall of the winter. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The National Highway Authority (NHA) on Monday cleared and opened Mansehra-Naran-Jalkha (MNJ) road to Naran with the help of heavy machinery.
According to sources, access to the tourist attractions of Kaghan and Naran was closed at various points for the past six months.
Every year, during the winter season between November and March, glaciers move downslope and cause severe obstruction.
This time, before the advent of Eid-ul-Fitr vacations, the road was opened so that tourists can easily visit Naran and Kaghan during their Eid holidays.
Currently, MNJ road has been opened from Balakot to Naran for all sorts of vehicular traffic however, the route from Naran to Babusar Top is still closed and it would take a few more days to become fully operational to use.
Babusar Top route is the shortest access to the northern areas of Pakistan, which usually provides the services only for half of the year owing to heavy snowfall.
While talking to the media, President Hotel Association Naran Saith Matiullah thanked NHA for the timely opening of MNJ road as per their promise as Eid vacations are approaching closer.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 11th, 2023.