Urgency for Shandur Tunnel

The people of Chitral have long historical, geographical and cultural relations with Gilgit Baltistan. They have their relatives there, they work there, they have established businesses there, and they bring commodities of daily
use from there. While doing all these they use the dilapidated Shandure road. During winter when Shandur pass closes due to heavy snow fall, people of Chitral perform agonizing, confusing and painstaking long journey through different valleys of Chitral before
entering Kunar valley in Afghanistan. They continue their journey along with Chitral River until they reach Peshawar after crossing Nawa Pass near Chaghan Sarai a capital city of Kunar province. From Peshawar they use either Swat rout or the famous silk rout
through Haripur, Abbot Abad, Mansehrah and the narrow valley of Kohistan along with the sharp flowing Indus River to meet their relatives living in the superb of Gilgit in case of emergency. This long journey takes at least five to seven days. Additional one
or two days require when any serious case occurs in Ghezir valley which is located at a distance of at least two hours drive from Chitral in summer months when Shadur pass remains opened. In Chitral, almost everyone essentially encounters some rigorous steps
while traveling in winter.

Shandur which is the pass located in the eastern part of Mastuj (Chitral). The Shandur pass road connects Laspur Valley of Chitral with Ghizer district of Northern Areas. This mountain road lies at an altitude of around 12500 ft above sea level. The road is
complicated particularly challenging to drive due to presence of many hairpin bends with the road becoming exceedingly narrow at some points and some very steep inclines. In rainy day jeep’s wheel gets stuck in the mud and without helping hands the wheel could
not be got out. This road is a steep climb or decent with no guardrail or prevention to stop vehicles from going over. It is a dangerous because it has huge potholes and very little grip for the vehicles that travel on it. It’s a legendary for its extreme
danger. Further, the fog and rain can make the visibility poor and the road surface becomes muddy, loosening rocks from the hill side above. Windshields and headlights are easy targets of flying rocks. In winter, the snow fall blocks the road completely. Much
causality occurs on this treacherous road annually.

It’s only Shandur Pass that isolates Chitral from Gilgit for almost six months of the year. There is no danger of avalanches but sharp blowing gale exists throughout winter. The danger of frostbite and losing pedestrian rout due to constant changing of weather
seems horrifying every moment. People of Laspur have expertise to understand the moody weather of Shadur. They assist the travelers in cloudy and in rainy days. In winter, the travelers stay in Laspur waiting the weather to be cleared. The cooperative and
hospitable people of the area provide boarding and lodging facilities until the travelers cross the pass.

To overcome these encompassing issues Chitral needs a permanent land route through northern areas. As alternative, this rout will also be used for defensive purposes as well as for commercial purposes. Now the blockage of river Indus consequent upon the result
of land erosion near Hunza has increased the urgency of alternative rout through Chitral. Construction of carpeted road up to Shandur Pass at Gilgit side and up to Mastuj at Chitral side is underway which will be completed in due course of time. Construction
of a seasonal road over Shandur Pass will not eliminate the problems in thorough. This road will be used only in summer but for the winter months, the situation will remain stand still until a tunnel beneath Shandur Pass is constructed. This project will be
economical than Lawari Tunnel. The tunnel will be completed in six months time. For the travelers going to Rawalpindi or Peshawar from Gilgit the road through Chitral valley is nearer than the journey through silk rout via Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbotabat, Haripur,
Hassan Abdal and finally Texala. Total length from Gilgit to Rawalpindi through Kohistan will be round about 700 Km, while the distance from Gilgit to Rawalpindi through Chitral would be approximately 550 Km. The cost of the tunnel lengthening 3-4 Km will
be equivalent to one year’s repairing cost of Rawalpindi – Gilgit Road. When this project is completed the road will further reduce its distance from 550 Km to 500 Km. This road will also be beneficial for the military from defense point of view. In case of
emergency or foreign aggression, this road will be used for military movement and mobilization. This road is also deemed important for the people of northern Areas in particular for the business coterie. The products of China will reach Afghanistan through
Chitral, which is the nearest and accessible rout. In addition, through Afghanistan these articles and wares will eventually reach Iran, Turkey and then many European countries. The objectives of Lawari Tunnel will not be achieved until Shandur Tunnel is built.
Our political leadership should divert their attention towards this important activity. General Pervez Musharaf the former President of Pakistan endeavored to open all such routs, which isolated different important cities from each other. Construction of Lawari
Tunnel was one of them.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=5246

Posted by Sonia Bashir on Dec 1 2011. Filed under National. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry