Condition of bridge belies govt claim to promote tourism

AYUN: Though the PTI government never tires of making tall claims of promoting tourism, the bridge on road to Kalash valleys and Ayun speaks volumes about its callousness and apathy towards developing road infrastructure.

The bridge on the Chitral river near Ayun has not been repaired for years and as a result of this its wooden planks have broken laying bare the nails that are puncturing vehicles crossing it.

It is also ironic that in the summer season government officers and others make a beeline to Kalash valleys and back using this very bridge but they seem blind to public issues and never bothered to get it repaired.

Recently, during a so-called open forum (katchehry) held by the deputy commissioner lower Chitral at Bumburate the locals called for the reconstruction of the bridge.In reply the DC promised and assured the residents that not only the bridge but the road to the Kalash valley would also be repaired.

Local people of Ayun and Kalash valleys including former nazims have demanded that the government should release funds for the repair of the bridge and the construction of the road without any further delay.

Reporting: Muhkam Uddin Ayuni