WANA: All sorts of traffic suspended temporarily following a closure of Wana Gomal-Zam main highway after a truck overturned, and passengers faced severe difficulties here on Sunday.
The main highway of South Waziristan Lower, Wana Gomal-Zam Road, known as Wana Gomal Zam highway, has been in a state of disrepair for a long time, and the situation for travellers turned difficult when a truck overturned, as a result of which traffic movement on the highway was temporarily suspended.
According to the district administration, efforts are underway to restore the road for traffic and the relevant staff is present at the scene so that the road be opened as soon as possible. The Wana Gomal-Zam main highway is the main connecting road of South Waziristan, through which hundreds of small and big vehicles pass daily. However, the road is in disrepair at many places, there are deep potholes at many places, while the absence of protective walls and bridges in some parts has made travel more dangerous.
As a result, traffic accidents are becoming common and passengers, traders and transporters are facing severe difficulties. Locals say that they have drawn the attention of the relevant authorities and elected representatives to this important issue several times, but no effective steps have been taken to construct and repair the road yet.
According to locals, funds were allocated for the reconstruction of the Wana Gomal Zam Road during the tenure of the previous provincial government, when Minister Naseerullah was a member of the provincial assembly, but these funds were later cancelled, due to which the project could not take shape.
Locals have demanded that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, relevant departments and elected representatives take urgent steps for the immediate reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Wana Gomal Zam Road, as this highway is of great importance for the daily travel and commercial activities of millions of people.
Local drivers say that due to the poor condition of the road, travel has become very difficult, a normal journey of a few hours has become long and tiring, while the road is often closed during rains, completely affecting traffic.
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