CHITRAL, Dec 14: The Frontier Highway Authority (FHA), which was created out of the NWFP works and services department, has not only failed to serve the purpose, but also has caused nuisance for the public owing to inordinate delay in repairing and restoring of roads.

And in view of the condition of Chitral roads, the establishment of this new entity seems useless.

It was July 2002, when lashing rains at many places between Lowari Top and Chitral had impaired the roads. As a result, vehicular traffic remained suspended for many days. Finally, drivers had to repair the route on self-help basis.

Another example which still remains evident of the FHA negligence can be seen at Chumurkone village, just 10 kms off the city, where a flood had damaged a suspension bridge over the nullah of Chumurkone.

The bridge could be repaired in two or three days and opened for the traffic, but the FHA did not initiated any work. The district nazim instead allowed a villager to let pass traffic through his land and receive Rs5-50, depending upon type of vehicle, from each passing vehicle. Truck owners have to pay the highest price.

Thus, the man has been fleecing people for the last seven months.

A flying couch driver said: “We pay tax to the government annually for our vehicles, and it is the duty of the government to provide us with roads.”

The nearest office of the FHA is situated at Timergera where an assistant director is working while for the whole district of Chitral there is not even a sub-engineer.

In view of these affairs of the FHA, if it rains the crucial Lowari Pass will be closed for traffic at any time.