Some old markets in Khost city on verge of collapse

KHOST CITY (Pajhwok): A number of old market buildings in southeastern Khost province teeter on the brink of collapse, residents say, urging early action to avoid a tragedy.

Residents say if the old structures collapsed, it could cause life and property losses.

Despite the fact that some new and tall buildings give Khost city a new and nice look, but old markets and buildings are on the edge of collapse and need reconstruction.

Khost city residents said the old buildings not only give the city an ugly look, but also threaten people’s lives.

Mohibullah Zadran, a resident of Khost city, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “A number of markets in city are very old, half of them have been demolished and ones who work in such old markets or who live near such buildings and markets are threatened by their collapse”.

Mohammd Yaqoub, another resident of Khost said some old markets were on the brink of collapse and if not reconstructed on time, they could collapse completely in the future.

He said: “I was walking near an old building when a block of cement fell down from the top of it on the road. If a strong earthquake jolts the city, such buildings may turn into rubles.”

These residents asked the officials to increase the supervision of both old and new buildings and prevent sub-standard construction of new buildings in the city.

Najib, another resident, said: “The markets and buildings I saw in Khost are vulnerable, if an earthquake rattles the city, they all will collapse and can cause both life and financial losses.”

Officials of the Urban Development Directorate assured that strict efforts were underway in this regard.

Urban development director Hazrat Jamal told Pajhwok, efforts were underway to demolish old and vulnerable buildings and reconstruct new ones instead under the urban plan and modern map.

He said: “The old and expired buildings or those built in a sub-standard manner, are weak and are built from mud, bricks and gypsum, their woods are eroded, such buildings can possibly collapse and create disaster, we plan to renew their construction.”

According to the information of the urban plan, the map of Khost city was planned at the time of former president of Afghanistan Mohammad Dawood Khan. It must be upgraded according to the needs of the population living in the city.

aw/ma