SHANGLA: Chairlift service in Kotkay area here has been suspended for the last three months, forcing the local people to walk on foot for three hours from one side daily to reach their destinations. The chairlift is the only source linking about 10 villages on side of a river with other parts of Shangla district.

“The chairlift was used by the local people for transportation and the tourists, but the service has been suspended for the last three months due to which we have to walk on foot for three hours from one side,” said Kamal Zada, an official in the local health department.

He said that hundreds of local people, including students and teachers, had to go through the same grueling process daily.

“The chairlift service was suspended due to a clash among five brothers who are its owners. Several meetings (jirgas) have been held to settle their dispute, but in vain,” said Qayoum Dada, an elder of the areas.

He said that over 20,000 residents of the areas, especially patients and the elderly, had been facing problems due to suspension of the cable car service.

Afsar Khan, another elder, said the cable car owners had been getting Rs20 per head from the passengers, while it was becoming popular as the tourists would use it for adventure.

Amir Rehman, a student, told this correspondent that he had got tired of daily walk on foot to reach his school and back home, saying he often reached his school late. He said the suspension of chairlift service had made their lives miserable.

The local people have demanded of the district administration to take action and reopen the service for the commuters and tourists by resolving the dispute among the owners.

Meanwhile, the spring festival started in Shangla district the other day, which will continue till April 9 in Alpuri, the district headquarters.

According to the administration officials, sports activities, tree plantation and entertainment events will be held across the district as part of the festival.

Published in Dawn, April 7th, 2019