Flood aftermath: Damaged thoroughfare a cause of anguish for commuters in Swat

Traders and students in upper Swat say it takes hours to reach Mingora.

MINGORA:

With nearly 100 lives lost and infrastructure swept away by floodwater across the country, residents of Swat as in other places are demanding the government to provide immediate rehabilitation.

The main Mingora-Kalam Road at Fizagat in Swat has been damaged in several places, resulting in heavy traffic jams and blockades lasting for hours. The road, which is currently being reconstructed, links Charbagh, Khwazakhela, Matta and Bahrain apart from being an important trade route.

“The road connects all major parts of Swat valley and is the only link with certain areas in Shangla district,” said Zahoor Ahmad, a resident of Khwazakhela. He maintained one side of the road has been rendered dysfunctional due to which only one car can pass through at a time, adding trucks and freight lorries cause further congestion, especially during peak traffic hours.

Mingora is the financial hub of the valley and where businesses, hospitals, courts, universities and other government offices are also located.

“We come in the morning and go back in the evening everyday as we have our businesses here. Last night, I got home at 1am due to a heavy traffic jam,” said Abdul Akbar, a trader in Mingora.

Students also complained of getting late for school owing to the diversions. “When I reached school yesterday, I was so late the third period had started and my teachers punished me,” said Iqbal Ahmad, a resident of Manglawar area studying in Mingora.

Officials of the National Highway Authority (NHA) said they have been working day and night to finish construction work on the road as soon as possible. “The work will be completed in two days and traffic resumed,” said an NHA official while supervising construction at the site.

 Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2013.