By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Construction of flyovers in Dera Ismail Khan, the upgrading of Grid Road and Dial Road, and the installation of sewerage systems in major bazaars progressed at an extremely slow pace, causing daily difficulties for residents, traders, students and commuters.
Work on the flyovers at Tank Adda and in front of the District Headquarters Women’s Hospital had remained stagnant, with not a single pillar rising above ground level despite the passage of the last five months. The slow pace of construction created daily traffic congestion, resulting in lost time and hardship for school and college students, women, the elderly and patients.
Citizens expressed concern that, if the current situation continued, these projects could take several more years to complete, leaving the public to bear the consequences.
Similarly, the sewerage system project in the bazaars, which had started from Masgran Bazaar, remained incomplete. Widespread excavation made movement within the markets extremely difficult, severely affecting businesses, while filth and foul smells further added to public discomfort.
Traders complained that the pace of work was unclear and no effective alternative arrangements had been made. Residents alleged that district administration officers remained confined to air-conditioned offices and rarely inspected or monitored the ongoing work.
Contractors were reportedly working slowly, with allegations of substandard materials being used in the construction of drainage channels and no effective oversight in place.
Citizens urged contractors, public representatives and the district administration to take immediate steps to accelerate the work and complete the projects as soon as possible. Public calls also demanded that higher authorities take notice, monitor the quality, speed and materials used in construction, and hold those responsible accountable, so that the people of Dera Ismail Khan could be relieved from this prolonged ordeal.
