Delay in construction of road upsets Swabi villagers

SWABI: The elders of several villages in Chak Yarhussain Maira have complained that the authorities failed to construct a two-kilometre road in the past two years that multiplied their woes.

In a statement on Sunday, Riaz Khan and Najab Khan of Harif Khan Killay and others said that the former minister for health and information technology Shahram Khan Tarakai had approved the construction of two-kilometre road from Jagganath to Harif Khan Killay, but it took too long to see light of the day.

"We face serious problems when we take our patients and injured persons to the hospital as the ballasts were put on the road substratum some two years ago but it was left halfway," Saadullah Khan complained, adding that the political wrangling was the main reason for the delay in the construction of the road.

Riaz Khan said earlier the unpaved road was in good condition for use but the existing one had become a hell for the dwellers of several villages, including Haleem Mian Killay, Bakyana, Harif Khan and Jagganath villages and surrounding areas.

Condemning the political wrangling and favouritism, the elders said that unnecessary water supply schemes worth millions of rupees were carried out in Sudher and Yaqubi union councils but the most important, urgent and necessary uplift projects were put on the back burner to appease certain people. "We do not need tube-well as water is not an issue in our area. We get fresh water from wells through hand-pumps and electric machines at our homes," they said, adding that the Tarakai family should have constructed roads, approved more schools and hospitals and veterinary dispensaries on a priority basis.

The elders urged the provincial minister for the Local Government and Rural Development Department to take practical steps for the construction of the road to put an end to the plights of local residents. They threatened to launch a protest movement if construction work on the road was not started forthwith.

The local elders said that the Awami National Party (ANP)'s two-time MPA Mukhtiar Khan had left this small portion of the road from Jagganath to Harif Khan Killay unpaved because the people of the said villages had reportedly not cast their votes for his party.

"The former MPA did not construct this part of the road during the 10 long years to punish us for not polling votes to the ANP," an elder explained.

However, the ex-MPA Mukhtiar Khan when contacted by phone denied the charge and said that he had carried out uniform development work in the area and had not committed any discrimination on political basis. He said he had no funds to construct the remaining portion of road to facilitate the villagers.