By Aftab Hussain

SHANGLA, Jan 7 — Residents and public representatives in Shangla have voiced serious concern over the poor condition and substandard repair of the main highway connecting Shangla Top to the district headquarters Alpurai. The 8-kilometer stretch, which remained severely damaged for nearly two years, was recently resurfaced under the supervision of the National Highway Authority (NHA. However, the newly laid asphalt began deteriorating within weeks, raising questions about the quality of work and oversight.

Local accounts suggest that the construction company responsible for the repairs failed to meet basic engineering standards. Asphalt was reportedly applied in insufficient quantity, using a low-grade mix at an unsuitable temperature. The roadbed was not properly reconstructed, and the compaction process was left incomplete. Without adequate quality control or laboratory testing, the asphalt failed to bond with the surface and began peeling off, turning the road back into a dirt track.

The absence of a permanent NHA office in Shangla has further complicated matters. Residents say the lack of local oversight has made it difficult to monitor projects, lodge complaints, or ensure timely decision-making. Many believe that unless a district or sub-divisional office is established, poor construction practices will continue unchecked.

Beyond the immediate stretch, nearly 100 kilometers of highways under NHA control in the region are reportedly in deteriorated condition. These roads serve as the primary land route connecting Shangla, Kohistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan. In several areas, safety walls and signboards are missing, and the risk of landslides and accidents remains high.

The prolonged neglect of the Shangla–Alpurai road has had tangible consequences. Ambulances have faced delays in reaching hospitals, students and commuters have struggled with unreliable transport, and vehicle owners have incurred repeated damage and financial losses.

Political and civil society voices in Shangla have called for an independent inquiry into the road’s reconstruction. They are demanding legal action against those responsible, blacklisting of the construction firm involved, and a complete overhaul of the regional highway network on durable foundations.

The situation has also drawn attention to broader concerns about infrastructure governance, transparency in public works, and the need for institutional reforms to ensure accountability in road development projects.

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