Rehabilitation of Kalam Road demanded

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has called on the federal government to urgently complete the rehabilitation of the N-95 Kalam Road, expressing serious concern over the prolonged delay in restoring one of the province's most important transport and tourism corridors.

In a letter addressed to the Federal Minister for Communications, the chief minister highlighted the strategic significance of the N-95 highway, which serves as the principal route connecting Swat Valley's upper areas, including the popular tourist destination of Kalam, with the rest of the country. He said the road is not only vital for tourism but also serves as a lifeline for thousands of residents, traders, transporters and businesses that depend on uninterrupted access to the region.

Afridi recalled that the devastating floods of 2022 caused extensive damage to the highway at seven different locations, severely disrupting movement and economic activity. While temporary measures were taken to restore traffic flow, he noted that permanent rehabilitation work has remained incomplete despite the passage of four years.

According to the chief minister, a cumulative stretch of approximately 4,887 metres remains critically damaged at Qandeel, Damlai Madyan, Bahrain Bazaar, Ramait Bahrain, Hawai Ramait, Asrait Kalam and Bodai Kamar Kalam. He said the deteriorating condition of these sections continues to expose commuters to dangerous travelling conditions while causing delays, vehicle damage and financial losses.

"The issue is no longer merely an infrastructure challenge," the chief minister stated. "It has become a matter directly affecting public safety, tourism, commerce and the broader regional economy."

He emphasized that Kalam is among Pakistan's leading tourist destinations and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. The condition of the road, he warned, not only creates inconvenience for tourists but also risks damaging the region's reputation as a safe and accessible destination.

Afridi urged the Federal Government and the National Highway Authority (NHA) to prioritize the completion of all outstanding rehabilitation works and ensure that every damaged section of the road is fully restored before the end of the current tourist season.

The chief minister also proposed an alternative solution should the NHA face financial or administrative difficulties in completing the project within the required timeframe. In such a case, he said, the K-P should be granted the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) without delay so that it can undertake and finance the remaining work in the larger public interest.