LOWER DIR: Local transporters on Thursday demanded of the government and National Highways Authority (NHA) to take notice of the dilapidated condition of the 40-kilometre Chakdara-Timergara road.

Talking to journalists, district president of All Transporters Association Haji Essa Khan and other transporters complained Chakdara-Timergara portion of the road had developed large potholes after recent monsoon rains.

They said that it was the busiest road as vehicles going to Upper Dir, Chitral, Bajaur and Lower Dir had to pass through it. They said that ditches on the road increased the risk of accidents. They said that trucks loaded with marble rocks plying on the road also increased risk of accidents.

Transporters also complained that traffic police imposed heavy fines even on tourists visiting the area. They demanded of authorities to take notice of the situation and repair the road.

Meanwhile, Anjuman Tajiran Timergara president Haji Anwarud Din told journalists that government released Rs60 million of Rs270 million for reconstruction of Jail-Mian Banda Road, causing delay in its completion.

He said that the contractor stopped work on the project owing to lack of funds. He said that locals would launch a protest if work on the project was not started within a week.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2024