All tunnel users already
in 'emergency'
CHITRAL,
04 Nov 09. Chitralis have taken exception to the term 'emergency usage'
of tunnel in winters as
attributed to Governor NWFP.
According to press reports, the governor has said that the tunnel would
be made available for usage in emergency cases once the road was closed.
Wg Cdr (r) Fardad Ali Shah
said that he had suggested in the recent seminar chaired by the Federal
Minister for Communications, that the tunnel should be made available
for at least two to three hours daily for all travelers on first come
first serve basis without any discrimination which was agreed to by him
and the Chairman NHA. There was no mention of the term 'emergency' then
he said.
Now the phrase 'on emergency
basis' is worrying as it gives discretionary powers to the NHA
authorities there to decide who is in an emergency, which is a recipe
for discord and discontent as experienced last year. He said, as soon
as the Lowari pass closes for traffic every Chitrali is in an emergency
and there is no need to further qualify the word emergency.
He demanded that after
necessary security checks, all passengers should be allowed to pass
through the tunnel, as any one travelling there is in an emergency and
has not come for a picnic. He said this point should be clarified well
before the pass closes to avoid inconveniences at that time. --(GH
Farooqi)
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