A bumpy ride: Swerving in Swat, commuters lay into rampant corruption in NHA
Recently paved roads damaged due to alleged use of substandard materials.
Recently paved roads damaged due to alleged use of substandard materials. PHOTO: FILE
MINGORA:
As incessant rain turns Swat’s recently-reconstructed roads into puddles of murky water, locals have accused the provincial government of turning a blind eye to National Highway Authority’s (NHA) use of substandard construction material.
A majority of the roads in the tourist hub were reconstructed a little over a month ago. However, the latest spell of rain has damaged them, with small and large ditches leaving commuters and pedestrians swerving to avoid them.
“The main GT Road in Rahimabad was reconstructed only a few days ago, but to our shock it has turned into rubble already,” said Itbar Gul, a resident of Rahimabad. “The worst thing about the ‘government of change’ is that they have turned a blind eye and deaf ear to corruption in the NHA.”
According to Gul, when GT Road was being reconstructed, locals lodged several complaints about the use of substandard material, but neither their elected representatives nor the NHA officials paid any attention to their concerns.
“We elected PTI for its slogan of change but they have proved themselves more incompetent than the previous governments. This is why the NHA is openly playing tricks on them,” said Fazal Ghafar, another resident of Rahimabad.
Similarly, locals have also complained about the use of substandard material in the GT Road tract between Mingora and Landakay. “In many areas, the old road was in good condition, but authorities paved it again. Within a few days, the road was full of potholes,” said Iqbal Azeem, a social activist in Mingora.
According to Azeem, it has become impossible for commuters to use the dilapidated road because of accumulated rainwater.
“The decrepit condition of GT Road between Mingora and Landakay is proof of the poor performance of PTI’s elected leaders from Swat,” said Awami National Party Swat President Sher Shah Khan.
He added MPAs have given a free hand to NHA and are equally responsible for the roads’ state of disrepair. He, too, accused the NHA of using substandard construction material.
When contacted, PTI MPA from the district, Azizullah Khan said, “We have already raised objections over NHA’s subpar work on the road.” He added efforts are under way to bring the road under Pakhtunkhwa Highway Authority’s wing and reconstruct it using quality materials.
Every day, thousands of vehicles ply GT Road which connects Swat with Peshawar and Islamabad; it is one of the busiest routes in the province.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2015.
As incessant rain turns Swat’s recently-reconstructed roads into puddles of murky water, locals have accused the provincial government of turning a blind eye to National Highway Authority’s (NHA) use of substandard construction material.
A majority of the roads in the tourist hub were reconstructed a little over a month ago. However, the latest spell of rain has damaged them, with small and large ditches leaving commuters and pedestrians swerving to avoid them.
“The main GT Road in Rahimabad was reconstructed only a few days ago, but to our shock it has turned into rubble already,” said Itbar Gul, a resident of Rahimabad. “The worst thing about the ‘government of change’ is that they have turned a blind eye and deaf ear to corruption in the NHA.”
According to Gul, when GT Road was being reconstructed, locals lodged several complaints about the use of substandard material, but neither their elected representatives nor the NHA officials paid any attention to their concerns.
“We elected PTI for its slogan of change but they have proved themselves more incompetent than the previous governments. This is why the NHA is openly playing tricks on them,” said Fazal Ghafar, another resident of Rahimabad.
Similarly, locals have also complained about the use of substandard material in the GT Road tract between Mingora and Landakay. “In many areas, the old road was in good condition, but authorities paved it again. Within a few days, the road was full of potholes,” said Iqbal Azeem, a social activist in Mingora.
According to Azeem, it has become impossible for commuters to use the dilapidated road because of accumulated rainwater.
“The decrepit condition of GT Road between Mingora and Landakay is proof of the poor performance of PTI’s elected leaders from Swat,” said Awami National Party Swat President Sher Shah Khan.
He added MPAs have given a free hand to NHA and are equally responsible for the roads’ state of disrepair. He, too, accused the NHA of using substandard construction material.
When contacted, PTI MPA from the district, Azizullah Khan said, “We have already raised objections over NHA’s subpar work on the road.” He added efforts are under way to bring the road under Pakhtunkhwa Highway Authority’s wing and reconstruct it using quality materials.
Every day, thousands of vehicles ply GT Road which connects Swat with Peshawar and Islamabad; it is one of the busiest routes in the province.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2015.