National Highway Authority (NHA) is striving hard to clear/restore national highways affected during the recent heavy rains/snowfall and floods in various parts of the country. The NHA is undertaking all possible steps to ensure smooth flow of traffic at the earliest on highways, said a statement issued here on Friday by the authority According to details, in Balochistan long spells of rains have damaged highways at various locations. Hectic efforts made by the NHA have made possible flow of traffic on all national highways in the province without any problem, the statement added.

On Uthal-Surab highway, potholes and erosion of shoulders have developed at number of places. After emergency repair this section is now usable.

Around 62-km of road between Bela and Kararo (KM 222 to KM 283) have been damaged. Emergency repair of eroded embankment/shoulders will be started immediately after the rains.

Surab Chaman section is open to traffic, however, the potholes and erosion of embankment at five locations and rockslides have occurred at Khojak Pass.

Removal of rockslides has been started and necessary machinery deployed to clear the debris.

Lakpass-Taftan section is also open to traffic. Erosion of shoulders in about 60-km has been occurred whereas the potholes have developed mostly between Lakpass and Dalbandin.

Emergency repair work will be undertaken soon after the rains stop, Kuchalk-Dhansar section is also open for traffic, however at various locations potholes have developed and the shoulders have been eroded due to water flowing across the road.

Snowfall in Kan Mehtarzai area is going on and the NHA clearing the same with the help of grader and spreading of salt.

Sibbi-Quetta road is also open to traffic. Damage to approach slab (Sibbi Side) of Bibi Nani Bridge has been temporarily repaired with the embankment material. Debris on road surface is being removed.

The settlement of the embankment along the river side between Kolpur and Mach is also being attended and back-filled to contain the damage.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2005