Hattian Bala (TAT Daily): The main road connecting Chakothi to Khilana Valley along the Line of Control has deteriorated into a state of disrepair due to prolonged government neglect. The road, a critical lifeline for the local population, is now riddled with potholes, collapsed drainage systems, and broken retaining walls. Despite repeated appeals from the residents for its upgradation, successive governments have turned a blind eye to their plight.

Locals have reported that the Public Works Department (PWD) has resorted to short-term fixes, with workers filling the potholes using soil. However, these temporary measures fail to withstand even light rain, rendering the road unusable again. The condition of the road has become a stark representation of governmental apathy, with vehicles struggling to navigate the uneven terrain.

The residents argue that unless serious attention is paid to upgrading and improving the main road’s infrastructure, other developmental projects in the region will fail to achieve meaningful results. Roads connecting the valley’s villages to the main artery have been paved, but their utility remains limited due to the poor condition of the central route. The lack of proper maintenance and upgrading of the main road has made travel difficult and unsafe, with vehicles shaking violently while traversing the pothole-ridden path. In several areas, the road has deteriorated so severely that it is challenging for vehicles to cross each other.

Adding to the frustration, locals revealed that during previous attempts at road construction, contractors left many sections incomplete, leaving stretches of the road in their original unpaved condition. This neglect has left the main road riddled with craters, disrupting the daily lives of commuters and the transportation of goods.

Residents have repeatedly urged the government, particularly the Member of Assembly for Constituency VI and former Prime Minister Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider Khan, to address their grievances. They demand that the upgradation and widening of the Khilana Valley main road be prioritized in development plans for Line of Control regions. The project should include proper restoration, carpeting, and widening of the road to ensure that residents can access safe and reliable travel facilities.

While bus- and truck-level roads are being constructed in some areas of Khilana Valley, the main road remains in such poor condition that even small vehicles like taxis and cars face significant challenges. The situation has made it virtually impossible for buses or trucks to operate on this route.

Residents remain hopeful that Raja Farooq Haider Khan will recognize the importance of this project and work towards its inclusion in priority development plans. Addressing this pressing issue would alleviate the hardships faced by the local population and pave the way for broader regional development.