Residents complain of bumpy, dirty road

KABUL): Residents of the Rahman Mina area of central capital Kabul province complain of dilapidated roads, accusing the municipality of failing to utilise the funds set aside for the purpose.

But the municipality rejects the complaint as invalid, saying development schemes, including road projects, are being implemented under a well-coordinated plan.

A four-kilometre road in the area connects the Bagrami district of Kabul with Logar province. A resident told Pajhwok Afghan News the road, which was inaugurated a year ago, was to be asphalted within three months.

He blasted the municipality for spending the budget allocated for the road on executing other projects. The mayor had failed to keep his promises about the construction of the road, he alleged.

Abdul Sami, another resident of the area, blamed the municipality for inattention and said they faced problems due to the rundown road.

“Mud and dirt on the road has long been a nuisance for residents of our area, causing transportation and health problems. But the municipality is yet to find a solution” Sami said, adding the situation also resulted in a price hike.

Mohammad Naeem, a shopkeeper in the locality, said the bumpy road had led to high transport fares and an increase in food prices. “Drivers here charge two times higher fares than in areas where roads are asphalted.”

But Abdul Qadir Arzo, the Kabul municipality spokesman, said all projects were proceeding according to the plan. “We implement our projects in a balanced way and never use budget of one project for another.”

The municipality’s annual plan includes construction of 100 kilometres of roads in the city, including Rehman Mina area. He said 1500 kilometres of roads in the capital needed to be asphalted, with work on 500 kilometres already completed.

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