Nangarharis face unruly traffic after roads closure

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Residents say several roads have been closed in the capital of eastern Nangarhar province for security reasons, creating inconvenience for local residents and commuters.

Passengers on the Jalalabad-Torkham highway and residents of 11 districts of Nangarhar complain the closure of the airport road has created problems for them.

The road was closed after a car suicide bombing targeted a security post at the airport about a month ago.

Another road leading to the governor’s house in Jalalabad city has also been closed since a month following threats of attack.

An elderly woman, who walked several kilometers on a hot summer day to reach Torkham bus stand, angrily criticized government officials, saying the government was only concerned about itself.

Jan Mohammad, a resident of Momand Dara district of Nangarhar, said they had to travel on another road which was longer and insecure after closure of the road passing in front of the airport.

He said the government was paying no attention to people’s concerns and even created problems for them.

Ghulam Jan, a resident of Lalpura district, also asked the government to resolve traffic problems.

“The airport road is blocked from the first gate up to the customs office, it has created serious problems for us, we request officials to reopen this road,” he said.

Drivers also grumbled about the blockade of road in front of the airport, saying they had to use sub roads and travel for suffer long hours to reach their destination.

They said the road closure by airport officials was not only affecting people’s economy but had disturbed their routine life.

A driver on the Torkham Lane, Sayed Asghar, said: “After closure of the airport road, we take the ring road which is insecure. We ask the government to reopen this main road for people.”

Meanwhile, residents of Jalalabad city said they face great hardships due to the closure of road in the heart of city in front of the governor’s house.

A resident of 4th municipal district, Ahmad Ziya, complained the blockade of the road in front of the governor’s house had rendered the enter city paralyzed.

“If you want to go to Behsud area, you have to pass through Pukhtunistan road and many other squares. When the entire traffic is diverted to a single road, it causes traffic jams, you have to wait for hours.”

Officials said closing the roads was part of security measures and it was a temporary phenomenon.

Nangarhar governor’s spokesman, Attaullah Khogyani, told Pajhwok the measures were taken after recent deadly rebel attacks  on the road in front of the airport.

“In order residents don’t suffer losses, some measures are conducted but it doesn’t mean the government is creating problems for people.”

The spokesman also said the governor’s house road was closed following security threats, promising the road would be reopened as Eid crowds reduced.

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