Gul Hamaad Farooqi Chitral
Concerns arise in Chitral as Ayun Valley faces the threat of flooding due to ongoing road construction and blockage of the Rumboor River, reported by Gul Hamaad Farooqi. Chitral, known for its scenic beauty and the tourist hub of Kailash Valley, is experiencing a tumultuous situation as development projects pose risks to the local environment and livelihoods.
The National Highway Authority (NHA) initiated a road widening and construction project with an estimated cost of Rs 12 billion for the valleys last year, aiming to improve connectivity and infrastructure in the region. However, the construction seems to have overlooked crucial factors, raising concerns among locals and civil society groups.
The road construction from Ayun Valley, the gateway to Kailash Valley, has drawn criticism for its design, as it disregards the existing link road and instead cuts through agricultural land, elevating the road approximately 200 feet high. This decision not only affects agricultural activities and irrigation systems but also poses significant risks during natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes. Residents of Ayun express anxiety over the lack of protective measures along this precarious route.
Civil society group Chitral Development Moment (CDM), led by Major Retired Prince Siraj Mulk and Principal Retired Liaquat Ali, along with other members, conducted a field visit to assess the situation. They highlight discrepancies in the road design and urge authorities, including the Federal Minister, Secretary Communications, and Chairman NHA, to reconsider the project’s alignment for safety and sustainability.
