Potholes on Girja Road spark outcry

Even Federal Minister Amir Muqam raises concern after travelling on the road

RAWALPINDI:

The five-kilometre-long Girja Road, one of the most important roads under the Rawalpindi District Council, has deteriorated into a severely damaged stretch filled with potholes.

In several places, potholes are up to one foot deep, while all main manholes remain uncovered. The road is constantly submerged in sewage water and sludge.

Public transport vehicles operating on this road reportedly deteriorate within two to three months due to its condition. The road is so badly damaged that Federal Minister Ameer Muqam, after travelling on it, openly expressed concern and stated that he would personally speak to the chief minister of Punjab to get the road rebuilt.

Girja Road starts from Tinch Bhatta's last bus stop at People's Colony Chowk and extends up to Motorway Chakri. However, the three-kilometre stretch from Dhoke Syedan Chowk to Girja has completely turned into a series of deep potholes.

Even without rainfall, sewage water up to one foot deep remains stagnant on the road, making accidents a daily occurrence. Between four and eight motorcyclists reportedly fall into potholes every day.

Due to standing sewage water and mud, access for students to 16 government and private schools located along both sides of the road has become extremely difficult, while worshippers face hardship reaching mosques. Women and children frequently slip and fall due to mud and slippery conditions. Businesses on both sides of the road have been badly affected.

Traders and residents have launched a protest campaign against the condition of Garja Road and have also started a social media campaign targeting government authorities and local MNAs and MPAs. A project worth Rs200 million for carpeting, widening, and construction of drains on both sides of the road was approved in 2021 by former Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Wasiq Qayyum Abbasi, but it was scrapped after a change in government.

Anjuman-e-Tajran Garja Road representatives Qaiser Piya and Shehzad Khan said they are tired of submitting applications to elected representatives, the district council, and the deputy commissioner, but no action has been taken beyond verbal assurances.

Local residents Zeeshan, Haji Khurshid, and Tariq Sunbal said relatives now avoid visiting them due to the road's condition, while sewage regularly overflows from drains onto the road, spreading foul smell day and night.

Meanwhile, MNA Engineer Qamarul Islam stated that funds have been approved for reconstruction, widening, carpeting, and drainage, and work will start soon.

However, residents say they have been hearing the same assurances for the past three years.