Passengers forced to wait for 24 hours in front of Lawari tunnel

PHOTO - FAZAL KHALIQ - EXPRESS

Chitral—People had to wait for 24 hours in front of Lawari tunnelunder 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 through thetunnel. Passengers told this scribe that government have already announced opening of Lawaritunnel 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 passengersvehicles. 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 itsschedules time and days. 

A large number of women, children and ailing persons were crying for long stay in front of tunnelbecause there are no facility no civic amenities for women folk and children. Via Pakstan Observer -