SHANGLA: Tourists and local residents have complained about bad condition of the road leading to scenic Dedal Kamach valley and Tarbela Lake in Martung tehsil here.

The Dedal Kamach valley borders Buner, Torghar and Swabi districts.

The 30-kilometer road was constructed under the Malakand Rural Development Programme in 2006, but due to want of repair, it`s in bad shape, causing inconvenience to commuters. And the concerned authorities, including the local lawmakers, are not bothered to the misery of the people, social activist Ibad Khan lamented.

He said the Tarbela Lake pulled large crowds, but as the road leading to it was in bad condition, tourists were reluctant to come to it.

A local women general councilor told Dawn due to dilapidated condition of the road 20 pregnant women had died while being taken to hospital.

Latif Ullah, who came from Peshawar, said though the area was beautiful the worst condition of road made the trip cumbersome. He said if the government wanted to boost tourism in the area, it should rebuild the road.

Sultan Nabi, district councillor from Kamach Nusrat Khel union council, complained that the road constructed 10 years ago was now in ruins owing to disrepair. I have raised the issue in district council but we have no funds for reconstructing the road.

He said many accidents had occurred on the road due to its dilapidated condition, resulting in loss of several lives. He demanded of both federal and provincial governments to rebuild the road.

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY REMAINS DISCONNECTED: Electricity supply to Chakesar tehsil remained suspended for the eight straight day on Wednesday after the main transmission line was severed by the people of Thakot, Battagram.

Pesco officials said the high power transmission line was cut by some bad elements of Thalcot by firing at it. They said as the line had fallen into the Indus, its restoration work was becoming difficult for the Pesco workers. They said Chalcesar political elders had hired the services of Rescue 1122 men to pull the wires from the river.

The Pesco official said local people were also taking part in the restoration work of the transmission line and hoped that repair work would be complete until Thursday (today).