CHITRAL: The communication and works (C&W) department opened the road leading to Kalash valley Birir to traffic here on Wednesday after two weeks of closure in the aftermath of flood that hit the valley before Eidul Fitr.

Talking to Dawn here on Wednesday, Executive Engineer Maqbool Azam said that the road was opened to vehicular traffic while links roads in the main Kalash valley Bumburate were also cleared.

He said that Booni-Zondgrangram Road was also opened on Wednesday while Mulkhow union council, which was marooned by flood, would be connected with other parts of the district on Thursday by using the alternative dirt track via Gohkir.

Mr Azam said that two bridges, connecting the area with the rest of the district via Chitral-Booni Road, were washed away by flood and the alternative route was inevitable as daily use items had run out in the area and starvation like situation was impending.

The official said that Shogram suspension bridge was being strengthened to make it withstand the rush of vehicular traffic. After the diversion of the traffic, the number of vehicles passing through the bridge would increase manifold.

Mr Azam said that strenuous efforts were being made by C&W department to open the valley roads while reopening of the three main roads including Chitral-Booni Road and Chitral Garam Chashma Road were assigned to Frontier Works Organisation.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2015

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