Afghans Reconstruct Destroyed Road

Published Aug. 16, 2010
By U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Holly Hess
Provincial Reconstruction Team Panjshir

PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan -- PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan (Aug. 14, 2010) - Civil engineers and civil affairs members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Panjshir traveled to Pesgaran Village in the Dara District Aug. 14 to assess progress on construction of a road affected by heavy rainfall earlier in the month.

The heavy rain washed away a major travel route for the villages of Pesgaran, Tundkhuy and Abdullah Khel.

"The road washes away up to several times a year," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Phillip Baker, PRT Panjshir civil engineer and San Antonio native. "The river needs to be studied for several seasons to see what level of construction is needed to protect the road at the best cost solution."

Another option may be to relocate the road away from the river, said Baker. "The terrain is really rugged as you travel away from the river and villages are reluctant to give up their land for the road," said Baker.

Scott Davis, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers construction representative with PRT Panjshir and Omaha, Neb., native, said they are starting to hear from government officials that the villagers would consider conceding their farmland for a better route.

"This is the first time they have considered putting a road through their farmland," said Davis.

"Local villagers are required to maintain the road and the district governor is holding them accountable, but this time damage was so bad they needed the PRT to help."

Ghulam Nabi Yaqoobi Construction and Road Construction Company is the Afghan company repairing the damaged road.

"We are moving rocks from the river to build the road for access," said Ghulm Azrat from GNYCRC. "After we put the stones at the end of the village, we will come back from the end point with dirt."

Azrat emphasized this is an important road for travel, and it is an emergency to get it fixed soon so the people have access to necessities.
"The people can only carry small things with their hands or on donkeys," Azrat said. "We need to get it fixed quickly so the 4,000 families in the valley have access to other needed items and medical care."

The civil affairs team discussed humanitarian assistance for the affected villages with Dara Afghan National Police Col. Del Agha.

"We have a very strong relationship with the Dara Afghan National Police, and they are always willing to help when needed," said U.S. Army Spc. Allison Cherkosly, a Clifton Park, N.Y., native and PRT Panjshir civil affairs member. "The ANP's main role will be to accompany the PRT, provide security and help with distribution.

"Additionally, a flatbed truck from the Provincial Headquarters will be provided to transport the humanitarian assistance to the affected area," said Cherkosly. "This shows that the government really cares about helping their people."

The PRT will provide emergency humanitarian assistance including rice, flour and beans to families affected by the flooding in the valley. The cleanup effort is expected to take 30 days.