Routine disrupted: Major thoroughfare in Haripur remains closed

Over fifty villages have been affected by the blockage of Chapar Road.

HARIPUR:

Over fifty villages in five union councils of Haripur and Mansehra have been affected by the blockage of Chapar Road near Kalinjar, Haripur for the past two days.

Heavy rain in Tanawal belt of Hazara division triggered landslides on Chapar Road near Murad Pur village in union council Kalinjar on Saturday night, said locals.  Chapar Road, which is the shortest road link between villages in Upper and Lower Tanawal, remained closed for traffic for the third consecutive day on Monday, causing problems for commuters.

Villagers complained traffic plying between Mansehra and Haripur has been affected following the landslide, making it difficult for them to take patients to Haripur or visit the market. Fahad Shah, a resident of Gandaf village, said the authorities failed to clear the important thoroughfare for the past two days despite repeated requests.

The district’s MPA and District Development Advisory Committee Chairman Faisal Zaman said he had ordered the relevant department to clear the road by Monday afternoon and the required machinery has been dispatched for the purpose. Syed Usman Shah Shirazi, a local of Gandaf village, said authorities have succeeded in partially clearing the road for traffic upon the MPA’s directives.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10^th, 2013.