Post-flood scenario: For rebuilding bridge, action, not hollow promises needed
Access to Swat’s business hub hindered since 2010.
SWAT:
Despite generous donations from the international community and assurances from elected bodies, the only bridge linking Mingora to the rest of the country, is yet to be reconstructed.
Mingora is the financial hub of Swat district, where thousands of people from all parts of the valley come every day to do business. After the floods, a make-shift steel bridge has been installed for one-way traffic which is at best a temporary arrangement. Hundreds of thousands of people cannot cross the bridge to access Mingora and are forced to travel by a longer route.
Zahir Gul, a rickshaw driver, said Mingora was easily accessible when the bridge was intact. “We would take Rs20 to get passengers to different parts of Mingora from the bus stand but now we have to cover longer distances and charge Rs100 per trip.”
For many, the increase in fare has ruled out a ride in rickshaws and they have to travel on foot, sometimes carrying heavy load.
“This is really a shame for the ANP as they won seven provincial assembly seats and one national assembly seat from Swat. All seven MPAs and MNA have to cross the bridge but they have yet to realise its significance,” said Zia Rehman, a college student. “It is either deliberate neglect or reflects their inability to resolve constituents’ issues.”
One way flow of traffic has also created issues for students and women who have to walk long distances to reach Mingora.
“It was easy to reach school when the bridge was intact but now we have to hire two vehicles, one before the bridge, and another after the bridge.” Uzma, a tenth grade student told The Express Tribune.
People from all walks of life in Swat also want to know how the funds from the international community for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the flood- and militancy-hit valley were spent.
Local shopkeepers and hotel owners also face problems and say their businesses are on the verge of collapse.
“We as true Pakistanis appeal to the prime minister and president to construct the Mingora bridge as soon as possible because the provincial government is not sincere in building it,” said Fazal Hadi, a hotel manager in Mingora.
When Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Forests and Environment, Wajid Ali Khan was contacted regarding the reconstruction of the bridge, he answered in his usual style that the tender has been floated and the bridge will soon be reconstructed.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2011.
Despite generous donations from the international community and assurances from elected bodies, the only bridge linking Mingora to the rest of the country, is yet to be reconstructed.
Mingora is the financial hub of Swat district, where thousands of people from all parts of the valley come every day to do business. After the floods, a make-shift steel bridge has been installed for one-way traffic which is at best a temporary arrangement. Hundreds of thousands of people cannot cross the bridge to access Mingora and are forced to travel by a longer route.
Zahir Gul, a rickshaw driver, said Mingora was easily accessible when the bridge was intact. “We would take Rs20 to get passengers to different parts of Mingora from the bus stand but now we have to cover longer distances and charge Rs100 per trip.”
For many, the increase in fare has ruled out a ride in rickshaws and they have to travel on foot, sometimes carrying heavy load.
“This is really a shame for the ANP as they won seven provincial assembly seats and one national assembly seat from Swat. All seven MPAs and MNA have to cross the bridge but they have yet to realise its significance,” said Zia Rehman, a college student. “It is either deliberate neglect or reflects their inability to resolve constituents’ issues.”
One way flow of traffic has also created issues for students and women who have to walk long distances to reach Mingora.
“It was easy to reach school when the bridge was intact but now we have to hire two vehicles, one before the bridge, and another after the bridge.” Uzma, a tenth grade student told The Express Tribune.
People from all walks of life in Swat also want to know how the funds from the international community for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the flood- and militancy-hit valley were spent.
Local shopkeepers and hotel owners also face problems and say their businesses are on the verge of collapse.
“We as true Pakistanis appeal to the prime minister and president to construct the Mingora bridge as soon as possible because the provincial government is not sincere in building it,” said Fazal Hadi, a hotel manager in Mingora.
When Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Forests and Environment, Wajid Ali Khan was contacted regarding the reconstruction of the bridge, he answered in his usual style that the tender has been floated and the bridge will soon be reconstructed.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2011.