Ghoris demand Herat highway’s reopening

FEROZKOH (Pajhwok): Residents of western Ghor province urged the government to reopen the Ghor-Herat highway which remained closed for 20st day on Wednesday.

Security forces have been conducting an operation to clear areas from the Taliban in Ahangara of Ghor.

The area was located along the Ghor-Herat highway, so the militants have closed the highway to prevent the security forces from advancing.

Calls to reopen the highway from residents come after a patient died on the highway before reaching hospital.

Haji FazlulHaq, a representative of a transport company in Ghor, said dozens of vehicles had been stuck on the route and were waiting for the highway’s reopening.

Abdul Wahed, one of the drivers on this road, fell ill last night. “We could not take him to the city for treatment and unfortunately he died,” Haq said.

Residents of Firozkoh also complain that the closure of the Ghor-Herat highway has led to an increase in food prices in the province.

Sayed Mohammad, a resident of Ghor, told Pajhwok: "Roads are closed, prices have gone up, there is nothing in the market, shopkeepers sell daily use things at inflated prices"

According to him; the price of each bag of rice, flour and sugar had increased by 100 afghanis.

Ghor police chief Abdul QadirWalizada told Pajhwok that the highway would soon be opened to passengers and trucks.

"God willing, it will be opened soon because it is an operation, the Taliban have planted landmines, therefore roads are closed, we understand the problems of the people," he added.

The Taliban made no comment regarding the Ghor-Herat highway.

Sa/ma