PESHAWAR: Residents of Khyber and Buner districts have urged Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to ensure strict monitoring of construction materials used in ongoing road infrastructure projects, warning that substandard materials could compromise the quality and lifespan of the roads.
The residents said several road development schemes are underway in both districts under the provincial government’s infrastructure development programme. While welcoming the projects, they expressed concern that poor-quality construction material and inadequate supervision could lead to rapid deterioration of the roads, resulting in a waste of public funds.
“We appreciate the government’s efforts to improve road connectivity, but quality should be the top priority. Roads built with inferior materials will not last long and will require costly repairs,” a resident of Khyber said.
Locals in Buner shared similar concerns, urging Sohail Afridi to personally oversee the implementation of road projects and direct the relevant authorities to ensure contractors strictly follow approved engineering standards.
They demanded regular inspections at construction sites, laboratory testing of materials, and strict legal action against contractors found using substandard material or violating contract specifications.
Residents also called for independent third-party quality audits to improve transparency and accountability in the execution of road infrastructure projects.
According to the locals, durable road infrastructure is essential for improving connectivity, facilitating trade and tourism, reducing travel time, and ensuring safer transportation for people living in remote areas of Khyber and Buner.
They expressed hope that Sohail Afridi would take immediate notice of their concerns and ensure that all ongoing and future road projects are completed with high-quality construction materials and in accordance with approved technical standards, so that public resources are utilized effectively and the roads provide long-term benefits to local communities.
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