Kharasha Nala Road Project in Balochistan: Millions Disappear, Construction Delayed Due to Alleged Corruption

Khuzdar:The construction of the Kharasha Nala Road, a crucial infrastructure project in the Goni-Greshah area of Khuzdar, remains stalled despite millions of rupees allocated for its development. The project, frequently referred to as the “Bermuda Triangle” of Balochistan, has raised serious concerns over the alleged mismanagement and corruption surrounding it.

In 2017, a budget of over 22 crore rupees was approved for the construction of a 35-kilometer road in the Goni-Greshah area under the CPEC framework. However, according to local sources, a significant portion of the allocated funds was reportedly misappropriated. The earthwork for the project was completed, but the work did not progress beyond that, with contractors and officials allegedly colluding to pocket the funds.

Recently, an additional 82 crore rupees were allocated for the continuation of the project, but progress remains minimal. The contract was handed over to a new firm, which in turn subcontracted the work. Despite the earthwork being completed, the new contractor, allegedly with the blessing of the Department of Communications’ Executive Engineer, failed to carry out the necessary construction. The contractor is accused of collecting payments without completing the work.

Local political, social, and tribal leaders, including Jafar Sajdi, have raised their voices against the situation. Speaking to the media, Sajdi stated, “The government allocates the funds, but as soon as the project is handed to contractors, they show their machinery for a few days and then disappear. The first allocation of 22 crore rupees was misused, and now, even after 82 crore rupees have been allocated, the project remains incomplete. The earthwork was poorly done, and the pipes for water drainage are substandard.”

Sajdi also highlighted the issue of security, pointing out that large-scale projects like the 220kV power line from Goni-Greshah to Mashkay were completed without any security concerns, yet the road project continues to be delayed under the pretext of security issues.

“The people of our area are deprived of the basic facilities that other regions are benefiting from. We cannot even access hospitals or reach the city in emergencies. This is a deliberate attempt to deny us our rights, driven by corruption,” he said.

The residents are now demanding that the government take immediate action to ensure that the project is completed. “If the road is not completed soon, we will take to the streets with protests, and if necessary, we will organize a long march from Nala to Quetta,” Sajdi warned.

With the road still not constructed, the people of Goni-Greshah continue to face immense challenges in accessing basic services and infrastructure. The demand for accountability and the completion of the project has become a pressing issue for the local community.