MULTAN, Dec 27: Slow construction work on a three-kilometre long road from Dhobi Ghat Chowk to Chungi No 9 is creating problems for motorists and pedestrians. The work on the road began one year ago but could not be completed due to, what the city district government says, the non-provision of funds from the Punjab government.

Muhammad Imran, of Postal Colony, said: “We have been waiting for the completion of the road for one year but the project is still incomplete.”

Abdul Rasheed, a shopkeeper, claimed that owing to unplanned digging of the road, all telephones were out-of-order in the entire area. He said everyone, including school-going children, was upset due to the neglect of authorities.

City District Nazim Faisal Mukhtar said the Punjab government had not released funds for new development projects and that major part of the funds was being spent on salaries of the employees of various departments.

He said the district government was paying teachers’ package and rural doctors’ allowance from the funds of development projects.