Take me home, Sherwan Road: For 70,000 villagers, a 6-km path remains daily travel nightmare

The strip is all which connects Pind Kargo Khan to Sherwan Bus Terminal .

HARIPUR:

The steadily deteriorating Sherwan Road has made travelling increasingly difficult for motorists. The road has seen little to no repairs over the last few years.

Connecting 140 villages between Haripur and Mansehra, the 35-kilometre-long Sherwan Road was built during the Sikh era. It was carpeted by the British later when Major James Abbott took over as the first deputy commissioner of Hazara in 1849 and relocated the headquarters of Hazara from Haripur to Abbottabad.

During the British era, the road was maintained regularly but after the creation of Pakistan, this quiet patch of land hardly attracted the attention of rulers or the relevant departments.

After the devastating earthquake of 2005, Sherwan Road’s condition worsened and in 2007 the Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) issued tenders for repairs from Shimla Hills till the Sherwan Bus Terminal. National Assembly Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi inaugurated the road as MNA during 2008.

From Pind Kargo to Sherwan terminal

But it took another four years before the 29 kilometres (km) between Shimla Hills and Pind Kargo Khan were reconstructed. The process was undertaken in two phases and a six-km-long strip connecting Pind Kargo Khan to Sherwan Bus Terminal is still in tatters. ERRA did not undertake its repair work. For 40 villages or over 70,000 locals, it is a regular transportation nightmare as this is the primary route to access Abbottabad.

On good days, the road has shallow ditches; ignored by the authorities and irritated by the elements, it sinks in deeper, collecting pools of water and sludge. The Communication and Works Department has yet to make proper repairs using the required standard of construction or materials.

Digging a ditch

“The department has 56 labourers deputed to fill the ditches daily with earth but they never bother to visit the area,” said Salim Tanoli, a government employee. The labourers draw salaries but are not doing their job as is evident from the deep ditches, pointed out Salim.

According to Abdul Qayum Tanoli, a social activist and writer from the area, the contractor had dug up the road last year for reconstruction but did not complete the job, making it even worse for motorists and pedestrians. Even if motorists brave the journey, Abdul noted there were obvious risks for the ailing, elderly and pregnant women.

To make matters rockier, the writer pointed out there are three bridges on the road which were equally dilapidated. One foul step could cause a fatal accident, said Abdul. However, even after repeated requests, the relevant authorities have failed to carry out repairs.

“It is disrespectful to the 70,000 voters of Sherwan who voted for Pakistan Muslims League-Nawaz’s MNA Murtaza Javed Abbasi twice as well as MPA Qalandar Lodhi, who was elected thrice consecutively.” Abdul claimed both lawmakers are repeatedly asked to get the well-travelled route fixed but have not yet come through on election trail promises.

Calling C&W

When approached for comments, C&W Department Sub-Divisional Officer Roads Zahid Khan, from Abbottabad, confirmed Sherwan Road had been taken over by ERRA after the 2005 earthquake and issued tenders for its repair. However, a shortage of funds left the road incomplete, added Khan. Responding to a query, Khan explained as the road has not been handed over to the C&W department, it is not possible repair it. Sherwan Road was at first under ERRA and later, it seems, it was left to its own devices.

According to the C&W officer, the reconstruction of the remaining 6 km is likely to be approved this year. Khan admitted there are 56 labourers who fill in the ditches but because of heavy traffic, the filling quickly flattens.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th,2013.