SWAT: The residents have demanded early resumption of work on a key bridge on the Swat Bypass, deploring that severe traffic congestion on the GT Road from Gogdara to Mingora throws traffic out of gear for hours.

Once rebuilt, the bridge links routes from Khwazakhela to Kalam and Shangla, but the construction work, initiated during the last PTI government after demolition of the old structure, was halted in 2022.

The absence of the bridge has forced large vehicles, lorries and passenger buses to take an alternative path through the Mingora city, causing a daily bottleneck.

Bashir Khan, a lorry driver transporting goods from Khwazakhela to Madyan, expressed his frustration over the fact that the journey through the Mingora city now took him around four hours instead of two hours previously. “It’s not just a time problem; fuel costs have doubled. We want the government to resume work on the bridge as early as possible.”

Another driver, Ahmed Shah, who frequently travels between Mingora and Kalam, echoed these concerns. “The traffic jam is unbearable,” he said.

Deplore traffic congestion in Mingora city has become routine

“The GT Road was already busy, but with all the heavy traffic now passing through the city, it’s impossible to drive. We are losing business as customers are hesitant to book trips. We can’t keep this up without a solution.”

Besides, the drivers, the people living along the GT Road in Mingora are also suffering due to the daily traffic congestion. Fatima Bibi, a resident of Banr area, explained the challenges. “My children’s school bus is often delayed by an hour or more. There are days when we can’t even leave the house to run simple errands because of the traffic.”

Fatima also highlighted the social implications: “We have elderly neighbours who need regular medical checkups. With the constant jams, getting to the hospital or clinic on time has become a nightmare. This is more than an inconvenience; it’s a serious problem affecting our health and well-being.”

The residents and drivers alike are urging the government to resume construction on the Swat Bypass bridge, which once completed, will provide a much-needed alternative route for heavy traffic. The prolonged delay has not only exacerbated daily inconveniences but has impacted the local economy and social fabric of the area.

As the situation worsens, the voices of the people affected continue to grow louder, demanding a timely resolution to an issue that affects the heart of Swat’s transport infrastructure.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2024