MANSEHRA: The Balakot-Naran section of Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad road is in bad shape and a big hurdle to tourists to easily reach the scenic Kaghan valley.

“The chief minister wants to promote tourism in the province, but the dangerous and dilapidated condition of the road is a big question mark on the claims being made by him in this regard,” said Abdul Waheed, a tourist from Lahore.

Frequent cases of landslides and rough condition of the road cause blockade of traffic and put the lives of travellers in danger. The National Highway Authority and the communication and works department have not constructed protection walls at most parts of the Balakot-Naran section of the road.

“Big ditches and cracks in roads and frequent landslides are a big hurdle to smooth travel on this road,” said Mr Waheed.

Another visitor, Mohammad Jibran, said that two tourists were killed last week when landslide hit a vehicle. He said that despite loss of lives and dangerous road conditions the government was not taking steps to repair this road and construct protection walls.

When contacted, Seth Matiullah, the president of hoteliers association in Kaghan valley, said that a delegation of hoteliers had met with the local lawmakers and visiting ministers and apprised them about their area’s issues, including the dilapidated road, but their response was still awaited.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2019