UPPER DIR: The local people have demanded reconstruction of the old Dir-Sheringal road, saying the dilapidated condition of road has multiplied their problems.

Talking to this correspondent, they said that road was in a very bad shape but they were compelled to use it because there was no alternative road in the area.

Naeem Danish, a resident of Serati, said that the road developed potholes, which made travelling on it very difficult. The road turned into a stream during rain, he added.

Jaffar Khan, another resident of the area, said that construction of a new road from Dodba to Chinaran was already approved. He said that work on the project was also started but it was stopped some time ago owing to unknown reasons.

The residents of the area said that they had asked time and again the district administration and elected representatives to resolve the issue but to no avail.

They said that patients felt uncomfortable when they were taken through the road to hospital. The bad condition of road added to their miseries and increased their pain, they added.

They said that thousands of residents of the eight villages including Dodba, Serati, Petao Banda, Sharmai, Sawni Payeen and Bala used the road.

They demanded of the communication and works department and Pakhtunkhwa Highway Authority to reconstruct the road soon otherwise they would block the main Dir-Peshawar road to traffic.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2019