Urgent clearance of Kalam road ordered

The National Highway Authority (NHA) and Frontier Works Organization (FWO) have been instructed to urgently address road clearance and rehabilitation efforts in Bahrain and Kalam, located in the Swat district of K-P.

Federal Minister for Communication, Maulana Asad Mahmood, issued the directives after being informed by K-P Minister for Excise and Narcotics Control, Haji Manzoor Khan Afridi, about the critical situation in Kalam.

Heavy flooding in the river had submerged the main road, causing significant damage.

Upon receiving the report from local elders in Kalam, Bahrain, and neighbouring areas, Afridi promptly contacted the federal minister for communication, who instructed the NHA to expedite relief operations and reopen the affected highway.

Both the federal and provincial ministers closely monitored the road clearance and relief operations in the Swat district through the communications department’s monitoring room.

Immediate action was taken to open the Bahrain Road for light traffic, with heavy machinery deployed and three contractors working on an emergency basis.

Efforts were also made to protect Bahrain Bazaar and the nearby Daral Khwar powerhouse from further destruction.

Maulana Asad Mahmood additionally directed the FWO to remove encroachments along the Swat River and the Kalam to Madyan highway, aiming to prevent floodwaters from reaching Bahrain Bazaar and other riverside towns.

Continuous monitoring was assigned to the FWO to ensure water containment.

The KP communications minister, Muhammad Ali Shah, was kept informed throughout the operation.

Thanks to the timely actions of both provincial and federal ministers, Bahrain Bazaar experienced minimal damage, the Kalam highway was swiftly restored for traffic, and the Daral Khwar powerhouse remained fully protected from flood-related harm.