By: Tahir Rasheed
KOHAT: The decorative projects that were built at a cost of billions of rupees for beautification in various areas of Kohat are now in disrepair due to a lack of proper maintenance.
According to locals the entrance gates constructed at a cost of millions of rupees on Hangu Road, Pindi Road, and University Road are broken in places due to poor construction and do not benefit the public. The rooms located to the right, left, and above the gates, which lack stairs for access, have become havens for drug addicts.
Leading social activists in the area, Pir Shahnawaz and Maulana Ashfaq Muawiya, expressed their concerns to Pakhtoon Digital, urging the government to allocate funds for public welfare instead of wasting money on decorative projects.
They said the sheds built at Buana and Jangkhel Chashma were also vandalized and sold by drug users just weeks after their construction. The clock tower, which cost lakhs of rupees near the Bannu Gate check post, is now missing.
Furthermore, the purposeless platform at Miankhel Chowk is causing disruptions to traffic flow instead of providing any benefits.
Local Murals created under the “Rang De Kohat” initiative, which cost crores of rupees, have been washed away after just a few rains. Additionally, the tiles at the roundabout built at Kutchery Chowk are broken in several places. The people of Kohat are demanding an end to such pointless constructions, which they believe are sources of corruption.
