GORAKH hill station is the most attractive mountain peak situated at Kirthar mountain range 94km from Dadu and at an elevation of 5,600 feet above sea level.

When the temperature is even 50° Celsius, it remains surprisingly 20 to 25° Celsius on the hill top.

Recently, I visited the hill station. It took us three and half hours to reach the top from Wahi Pandhi, which is 46km north of Dadu. The condition of roads was poor, especially from Wahi Pandhi to Gorakh Hill.

Most part of the road was stony and is believed to be under construction, while the newly-constructed road has been broken by recent heavy rains.

I strongly suggest visitors not to use their personal vehicles and motorbikes to climb the hill. They should travel to Wahi Pandhi in their vehicles and hire local jeeps which are driven by professional drivers who know every inch of the steep cliff and stony roads.

Although there is a restaurant for visitors on zero point, rates of edible items and drinks are high. There is obvious security risk for the tourists as well, for one cannot see a single policeman throughout the journey. It is essential to have a police picket on way to the top of the hill station.

The Sindh government should provide proper facilities to the visitors and arrange medical/first aid facility for emergencies at Gorakh hill, apart from good roads to make it easier to reach the hill station.

Khalid Mehmood Bhatti

Dadu

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2019