Hazara Commissioner orders land acquisition to rebuild the 26-km Dubair Ranowalia Road in Lower Kohistan, washed away in the 2022 floods, after weeks of local protest.
2022 Floods Washed Away a Vital 26-Km Link Road
Authorities have finally moved ahead with a key step to rebuild the 26-kilometre Dubair Ranowalia Road in Lower Kohistan, which was destroyed during the devastating 2022 flash floods. Hazara Commissioner Fayyaz Ali Shah has directed the deputy commissioner of Lower Kohistan to acquire land for the reconstruction of the road, which serves as a critical lifeline for several remote communities. The directive has been issued through an official notification, signalling that the long-delayed project is now entering an implementation phase.
The notification clearly states that the land is being acquired for a public purpose and at public expense in order to rebuild the Dubair Ranowalia Road. This road connects Dubair, Ranowalia and nearby villages, and its destruction almost three years ago cut off easy access to markets, health facilities, schools and administrative offices. Since the floods, local residents have relied on difficult and unsafe alternative routes, facing higher travel costs and longer journey times for basic needs.
Commissioner Directs Land Acquisition Under Land Acquisition Act
The commissioner’s office has forwarded a copy of the notification to the Senior Member Board of Revenue, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act of 1894. This legal step is crucial because it formally authorises the district administration to start the land acquisition process, including surveys, valuation and compensation arrangements for affected landowners. Once completed, this process will clear the way for physical reconstruction work to begin on the ground.
World Bank Releases Rs500 Million for Road Reconstruction
Funding for the project has already been approved. According to officials, the World Bank has released Rs500 million specifically for land acquisition linked to the reconstruction of the 26-kilometre road. The financial support is part of broader post-flood recovery and infrastructure rehabilitation efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Despite the availability of funds, however, reconstruction had not started, adding to the frustration of communities that depend on the road for daily movement and economic activity.
The damaged Dubair Ranowalia Road is considered a key link for Dubair, Ranowalia and surrounding villages. It supports the movement of people, agricultural produce, goods and services between scattered settlements and larger markets. Its loss has not only increased transportation hardships but also affected livelihoods, access to education and emergency response in times of crisis. Local leaders say that without a functioning road, development in the region has been effectively stalled since the 2022 floods.
Villagers Stage Seven-Week Sit-In for Restoration
In response to the prolonged delay, residents of Dubair, Ranowalia and nearby areas have been holding a continuous protest sit-in. They have made it clear that they will not end their demonstration until they see actual reconstruction work on the road. Local elder Malik Aurangzeb, speaking to reporters, welcomed the commissioner’s directive but reminded authorities that the community’s patience is running out after years of waiting.
Aurangzeb said that residents have been staging the sit-in for the past seven weeks to press their demand for rebuilding the road. He pointed out that officials from the district administration, Wapda and the police have held several rounds of talks with protesters, especially after water was diverted from the Dubair dam, which led to the suspension of electricity generation. However, he added that people rejected verbal assurances and insisted on visible, on-site progress as the only sign of seriousness from the authorities.
Local representatives say public anger is rooted in the fact that the 2022 floods destroyed infrastructure and claimed lives in the region, yet reconstruction of the Dubair Ranowalia Road has still not begun. Residents feel their concerns were ignored until the recent protests forced the administration to act.
Next Steps for Dubair, Ranowalia and Nearby Communities
With the land acquisition process now ordered and funding in place, attention will shift to how quickly the authorities can move from paperwork to construction. For the people of Dubair, Ranowalia and surrounding villages, the true test will be the start of on-ground work that restores safe and reliable road access. Community leaders have said they will end their sit-in once machinery arrives and rebuilding actually begins. For now, the commissioner’s order offers a sign of progress, but residents are waiting to see if promises will finally translate into action on the damaged road.
