KHAR: The road in Nawagai bazaar, the third major commercial centre of Bajaur tribal district, is in bad shape after the recent flash floods.

Local traders told mediapersons on Sunday that recent floods had washed away several roads, including the main highway of Nawagai bazaar.

They said that the roads that were already broken due to absence of proper drainage system had been further damaged in the Saturday’s flash flood.

Sarhad Ali Qazi, a traders’ leader, told mediapersons that the whole bazaar was under water throughout the day on Saturday during rain owing to lack of proper drainage system. He said that the rainwater also entered shops in different markets, resulting in heavy losses for the traders.

He said that traffic jams had been witnessed in the bazaar due poor condition of the road. He said that all this had affected trade activities in the bazaar.

The traders said that the absence of drainage system was a serious issue for more than 3,000 shopkeepers of Nawagai bazaar, located in the hometown of Senator Hidayatullah Khan.

They pointed out that the local lawmakers and district administration had promised with them about a year ago to resolve the issue by constructing a proper drainage system and repairing the road, but no practical steps were taken as yet.

They urged the government to take steps for repairing the road and constructing drainage system in the bazaar.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2019