Growing public concern has emerged in Shangla over the continued movement of overloaded trucks transporting marble and other minerals, with residents and transporters warning that the district’s already fragile road network is deteriorating rapidly despite an existing restriction on heavy vehicles.
Residents Report Widespread Road Damage
Residents say major roads across the district have fallen into an advanced state of disrepair, with broken surfaces, deep potholes and crumbling edges making travel increasingly hazardous. They also point to piles of construction debris dumped along roadsides, particularly waste generated during commercial construction on mountain slopes, as an additional factor contributing to unsafe road conditions.
According to local residents, the regular movement of heavily laden mineral trucks has significantly accelerated the deterioration of roads that were already in poor condition. The issue came under renewed public scrutiny after several overloaded marble trucks were seen passing through Alpurai, prompting concerns over the structural integrity of Shangla’s ageing roads and historic bridges, many of which date back to the former State of Swat.
Infrastructure at Risk from Excessive Loads
Residents questioned whether the ageing infrastructure could safely withstand such excessive loads without suffering irreversible damage. They warned that continued overloading could render key roads unusable, disrupting transport, trade, education, healthcare services and emergency response across the mountainous district.
The concerns have resurfaced against the backdrop of a Consumer Court ruling that reportedly prohibited vehicles carrying loads exceeding 16 tonnes from entering Shangla. The order followed a petition filed by Muhammad Ibrahim Khan Advocate, a senior lawyer from Shangla and former General Secretary of both the Shangla Bar Association and the Shangla Action Committee, who argued that strict weight restrictions were necessary to protect the district’s vulnerable road infrastructure.
Court Order Allegedly Ignored
Despite the court’s reported order, residents allege that overloaded trucks carrying marble and other minerals continue to pass through various parts of the district on a regular basis. They questioned whether the ruling is being effectively enforced and called upon the relevant authorities to ensure full compliance with judicial directives.
Meanwhile, members of civil society and local social groups have alleged that certain individuals have been granted permits or unofficial permissions allowing overloaded mineral trucks to pass through Shangla Top. However, no documentary evidence has been presented publicly to substantiate these claims, and no official response has been issued by the authorities concerned.
Communities Bear Consequences of Mining
Residents further argued that while Shangla’s valuable natural resources, including marble and other minerals, continue to be extracted and transported outside the district, local communities are left to bear the consequences in the form of damaged roads, dust pollution, environmental degradation, traffic hazards and rising transport costs.
They maintained that if mining activities are to continue, the government should simultaneously invest in the rehabilitation of road infrastructure, strictly enforce axle-load regulations and allocate dedicated development funds for communities affected by mining operations.
Transporters Face Higher Costs and Risks
Transporters also expressed concern over the worsening condition of the roads, saying deteriorating highways have increased vehicle maintenance costs, extended journey times and heightened safety risks for both drivers and passengers.
Residents, transporters and representatives of civil society have urged the Federal Government, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the district administration and the relevant departments to ensure strict enforcement of the Consumer Court’s reported order, take effective action against vehicle overloading and immediately launch a comprehensive programme to repair and rehabilitate Shangla’s road network.
Call for Stronger Monitoring and Enforcement
They also called for stronger monitoring of heavy transport vehicles and the rigorous enforcement of axle-load regulations to safeguard the district’s roads, bridges and other public infrastructure from further deterioration.
No official statement has yet been issued by the departments concerned regarding the alleged weak enforcement of the Consumer Court’s order or the claims relating to permits for overloaded mineral trucks. The allegations remain unverified, and any determination regarding compliance with the court’s ruling or administrative responsibility will depend on the findings of the competent authorities.
