Snow at Lowari Top: Chitralis go hungry as supply trucks remain stranded

Authorities have disallowed passage to heavy traffic through the Lowari Tunnel.

CHITRAL: Around 200 trucks loaded with daily usage supplies en route to Chitral were left stranded at the Lowari Tunnel due to the passage being closed by the construction company.

Residents have been facing food and fuel shortages since the last three days. Deputy Commissioner Chitral Abdul Ghaffar said due to heavy snowfall on the Lowari Top, the entire road has been blocked for traffic to avoid the danger of vehicles skidding of snowy roads into ravines.

Ghaffar admitted that the residents of the district are facing a shortage of food due to stranded trucks at the tunnel. He added the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has an agreement with the National Highway Authority for opening the Lowari Tunnel for three days in a week. However, around 200 trucks are parked outside the tunnel in Upper Dir since Saturday and have been denied entry into Chitral with the trucks’ emission of smoke inside the tunnel being cited as the reason for the refusal.

The deputy commissioner revealed according to the agreement with the provincial government, construction company officials have informed the government that they will not allow vehicles that are emitting heavy smoke because the smoke can create problems. The government has agreed with the concerns raised by the company which is why all trucks have been refused passage while light vehicles have been allowed to pass trough, added the officer.



Social activist and local elder of Chitral Niazi Advocate told journalists he has visited the site multiple times to negotiate with the SAMBO Construction Company and the NHA, on behalf of the people of Chitral. He claimed he had tried to convince authorities to open the tunnel for traffic carrying supplies or run the risk of starving the people however, he was informed of the agreement with the provincial government and his request was declined.

Niazi added around 35 trucks had arrived on Saturday, and upon being refused entry into the tunnel and waiting for around 24 hours, around 150 trucks returned with the drivers claiming they could not bear the harsh weather. Around 200 trucks still remain parked near the tunnel entry he claimed. “I have counted the trucks myself, whereas the drivers are growing fed up, saying they can only bear the cold for so long,” he added.

Niazi lambasted the provincial government claiming the blockade is about non-payment of Rs20 million to the NHA which the provincial government owes, to be paid to SAMBO. “Last year they could allow the trucks passage, but this year they cannot, it is just absurd,” he said. He said the government will be held responsible if people die of starvation.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2014.