CHITRAL: The Chitral Development Movement (CDM) has warned of impending food shortages in the twin valleys of Torkhow and Terich if a makeshift bridge is not erected in the Istaru village where flash floods had washed away a suspension bridge in March.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, the movement’s chairman Waqas Ahmed Advocate said the two valleys had been completely disconnected from rest of the district a month ago when snowfall blocked the alternative route of Kushum.

He said during past five months he had time and again urged the government to restore the vehicular traffic on Torkhow Road by arranging a makeshift bridge before start of winter, but to no avail.

Mr Ahmed also castigated the government over discriminatory attitude towards Chitral and said the local MNA and MPA had failed to highlight the road issue in assemblies.

He demanded stern action against Upper Chitral deputy commissioner and the C&W executive engineer for their negligence.

He said the C&W department had inordinately delayed the completion of Torkhow Road.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2020