Lack of bridge on Harirud strands residents in 7 Ghor villages

FEROZKOH (Pajhwok): Some residents of Shahrak Ghor district of western Ghor province say floods have destroyed the only bridge over the Harirud River, forcing them to use ropeway to cross the river that in some cases proves dangerous.

Residents said last year flash floods destroyed the bridge over Harirud River that linked Sorpan, Nal Bast, Paitangi, Dahan Kangi, Dahan Zardak, Pashta Kangi and Tangi Sorpan villages of Sharak district.

Additionally, these floods damaged public properties, roads, bridges, and culverts in most villages. Some roads were cleared and reopened, but no action has been taken to rebuild this bridge and people are still facing problems.

It is early morning and a thin moon falls on the calm waters of Harirud River, and some people have come from their villages to the shore to reach the other side of the river.

Ali Ahmad, a resident of Dahan Kang village, told Pajhwok Afghan News last year the only communication bridge was damaged due by flash floods and now the residents were facing problems.

Families cross the bridge to obtain their basic necessities and are now forced to use cable car, he added.

“When the bridge was there, we would easily transport our food and other necessities by cars, motorbikes, and donkeys. But since last year, our bridge has been damaged, and we have been shifting our food and other necessities in small cable car, which is very time-consuming and difficult. We are asking the government to address this problem”.

According to Ali Ahmad, the lack of a bridge in their village has not only limited people’s movement and access to basic necessities of life, but has also kept their children from going to school.

Abdul Hai, a resident of Surpan village explained: “Crossing with these cable cars is not only dangerous, also it takes a lot of time. Sometimes we wait for hours to cross. Someone has to be on this side and that side of the water to pull us, and it is very difficult for those who are sick or have urgent work”.

Similarly, Abdul Manan, another resident complained crossing the river by cable cars was dangerous, remembering seeing children and adults falling into the water.

He said: “Unfortunately when the water level rises, everyone uses this cable car to get around, and we have witnessed children and adults falling into the water from it”.

According to him, some families prevent their children from going to school because there is no bridge and it could be dangerous for their children.

Abdul Manan asked Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to take action to rebuild this bridge so that people could get a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, Mahmoud Sultani, a teacher in Sorpan village, explained: “Mostly, children cannot come to school for fear of falling into the river. We ask the government and institutions to address our problems and build a bridge so that the children can reach their school and travel easily”.

On the other hand, Obaidullah Moradi, head of regional council, confirms the problem, but adds building this bridge valued more than two million afghanis.

“When floods destroyed this bridge, a government delegation came and surveyed it, but it has not been built yet and we have many problems. The bridge that was destroyed connects seven villages”.

Moradi urged the government and charity foundations to pay seriously attention in this regard.

Gholam Sakhi Moradi, a social affairs expert, considers the use of cable cars a temporary solution.

“The cable cars cannot replace the bridge that people used to cross and transport their basic needs. Cable cars are dangerous for everyone, especially the young and the elderly”.

“If a public bridge is not built in this village, people will be deprived of basic services, and their life quality will be destroyed because they will not be able to take their patients to the doctor on time or meet their other needs”:

Ghulam Sakhi considered reconstruction of the bridge a basic and urgent need of the people.

Ghulam Sakhi called on the IEA and charity foundations to cooperate with residents and seek a sustainable and safe solution.

Zabihullah Ghousizada, press officer at the Rural Rehabilitation and Development Department, acknowledged to Pajhwok that people were facing serious problems in crossing the river.

According to him, lack of funding has prevented them from being able to rebuild destroyed projects such as bridges.

“We accept people’s problems and try to share them with central officials, and these people must also submit a request so that we can share the issue in writing”.

Ghousizada hoped that they would be able to obtain funding for the construction of this bridge and begin construction work as soon as possible.

hz/ma