BATTAGRAM: Nearly all link roads in Battagram district are in dilapidated condition and need immediate attention of authorities concerned to start reconstruction work in order to facilitate people.

Link roads connecting Union Councils of Battagram, Ajmera, Paimal, Thakot and Gesol with the main Karakoram highway (KKH) at Battagram bazaar are in very bad condition. Transporters complained that due to bumpy roads, they were unable to smoothly drive their vehicles.

A local Irfan Khan claimed that people had been visiting offices of concerned authorities in this regard but to no avail. He demanded that the government should allocate funds for repair and maintenance of these roads.

Abid Khan, another resident of Ajmera, said that they repeatedly requested political representatives to help arrange repair of roads in the areas, but both the treasury and opposition members were not paying heed to public complaints.

Another local Hashmat criticised provincial and local governments’ departments for not making serious efforts to resolve public issues. He added that travelling on bumpy road to Gesol and surrounding areas had become difficult for them

A resident of Battagram, Atiq Khan said that their link roads to the main KKH turned into deep ditches and now the resident of the area had left with only one option to use donkeys for transportation.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2024