Passengers face waiting for 24 hours in front of Lawari tunnel.
By: Gul Hamad Farooqi
CHITRAL: People faced to wait for 24 hours in front of Lawari tunnel under open sky in chili cold weather. Passengers complained that they reached at 2 PM in front of Lawari tunnel but project Director (PD) Imdad Hussain not allowed them to travel inside the tunnel. Passengers told this scribe that government have already announced opening of Lawari tunnel for vehicular traffic on Saturday and Sunday but despite that PD strained these people comprising on women and children as well as serious patients.
When this scribe contacted PD Imdad Hussain regarding stopping of hundred of passengers vehicles. He said that Deputy Commissioner Chitral in his report alleged National Highway Authority (NHA) and Sambu company for mishandling of last week incidence where a large number of passengers strained inside the tunnel and were unconscious by suffocation.
Sher Nawaz president Mazda union complained that he reached in front of Lawari tunnel on Saturday but he along with other Mazda and heavy vehicles were not allowed inside the tunnel and they faced to wait there more than 24 hours in severe cold weather and snowfall.
Zahir Shah General Secretary driver union Dir upper alleged that NHA staff getting money as bribe from some influential persons and allow them to travel inside the tunnel without its schedules time and days.
A large number of women, children and ailing persons were crying for long stay in front of tunnel because there are no facility no civic amenities for women folk and children. There were hundred of vehicles and thousands of passengers who also protested against brutality and inhuman behavior of PD NHA for straining them for long times without any reason. These passengers also protested and chanted slogan against NHA and Sambo company.
Hence after continue struggle and agitation they were allowed to travel through Lawari tunnel after 10. O clock at night time instead of 2 PM. Social and political Circle of Chitral demanded from Federal government for taking stern action against PD Imdad Hussain and NHA staff who violated government decision for opening of tunnel for two days a week.
When this scribe visited Lawari tunnel while travelling through the tunnel there was nothing on the spot to pretext to stop the vehicular traffic. But seems only obstinacy and dishonesty of Project Director Imdad Hussain.
People also demanding for opening the tunnel at least 4 hours a day to enable Chitral people to travel inside the tunnel.
Meanwhile some 5 people were injured when an avalanche fell over a passenger flying coach in front of Lawari tunnel at Dir side.
G.H. Farooqi C/O Manager bank Islami Main branch Chitral Pakistan phone No (0092) 0943-320737, 0943-316052, 0943-414418 , 03025989602, 03337069572, 03159698446, 03469002167
email: gulhamad@gmail.com
