NAWABSHAH, Feb 4: Work on reconstruction of three main roads of the city, leading to Sakrand, Buchheri and Sanghar, which started in June 2008, inches up at a snail’s pace, causing great inconvenience to motorists, pedestrians and the people living nearby.

The department concerned offers lame excuses about slow pace of work. Some officials claim that machine carpeting can not be done (asphalt) during cold weather.

An official said on condition of anonymity that his colleagues’ claim was untrue because nowhere in the world cold weather impeded carpeting. Besides, work on Daur-Kumb road continued despite such concerns, he said and added that it was nothing but sheer negligence.

But the EDO of works and services, Pherumal, insisted that asphalt might get removed if had been laid in cold weather. Bur for machine carpeting, the Sakrand road was almost ready, he said.

He said that they were not in a hurry and there was no reason to increase expenditure to expedite work. Work on other roads continued and Buchheri and Sanghar roads would also be completed after completion of Sakrand road, he said.

The sisters of President Zardari and MNA Faryal Talpur who been district nazim of the city and MNA Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho have expressed dissatisfaction over slow pace and poor quality of work.

Mr Pechuho said that the city gave a devastated look thanks to poor performance of works and services department. She would take up the matter with the president and the concerned department, she said.

The government is spending about Rs100 million on the reconstruction of asphalt roads.

Clouds of dust can be seen hovering over the under-construction roads and their adjoining areas throughout the day, much to the inconvenience of residents and those who are allergic to dust.

It has been more than eight months since the work started but no timeframe can be given when it will end.

President Asif Ali Zardari has always taken keen interest in the development of the district, now known as Benazirabad, but the works department seems least concerned about his wishes.