Ghor-Herat highway being reopened after flash flood

FEROZKOH (Pajhwok): Authorities have started work to reopen the Ghor-Herat highway for traffic after heavy flash floods blocked the route, an official said on Tuesday.

Public Works Director Maulvi Abdul Kabir Abu Shoaib said equipment and machinery had been sent to Kamanj village in cooperation with local residents to clear the highway.

He said work to reopen the road had been started from Dar-e-Jam route.

“This road has been destroyed at several places and work is going on rapidly to reopen the road for all kinds of traffic,” he added.

Rahmatullah, a driver said: “The flooding has completely destroyed the Jam valley road and we are forced to travel via the Jalga Mazar valley, a very long and expensive route”.

Feroz Ahmad Rahimi, a passenger, said the damage to the Ghor-Herat highway ahad confronted passengers with many problems.

“The Bedan valley route is good and short, but it is far from Jalga Mazar and flash floods have damaged it and traveling is difficult. We are happy the road is being cleared of mud, but the work should be expedited”.

Drivers and passengers also said the route should be reopened for traffic because in winter season, no vehicle could travel on it and people face many problems.

hz/ma