ABBATTABAD (Digital Post) Road repair, protective wall construction case filed in office due to non-availability of funds

ABBATTABAD (Digital Post): The Provincial Ombudsman Secretariat (Regional Office, Abbottabad) of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has issued a final decision on the application filed regarding the construction of a protective wall and installation of signboards on Abbottabad Road due to severe non-availability of funds and non-response from the complainant within the stipulated time. According to the details, Gulfraz Ahmed Awan, son of Kala Khan, a resident of Mohalla Barowala (UC Phalkot, District Abbottabad), had filed a written complaint against the Communications and Works Department, Highway Division, Abbottabad. The complainant maintained that due to the poor condition of the road passing through the area, absence of signboards and lack of protective wall, dangerous accidents are taking place every day, causing loss of life and property to the local population. During the investigation conducted by the Deputy Registrar of the Provincial Ombudsman, a notice was issued to the Executive Engineer (C&W) Highway Division under Section 10(4) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Ombudsman Act, 2010, seeking a response. The C&W Department clarified in its written response submitted in light of the report of the Sub-Divisional Officer (Road-II), Abbottabad, that a budget of about Rs. 10 million (one crore) is required for the construction of a protective wall at the relevant location, however, due to severe unavailability of funds at the present time, the department is unable to construct this wall. The Ombudsman Office shared this report of the department with the complainant and sought a counterclaim from him, but the complainant failed to submit any response or reply within the stipulated time. I failed. Due to the absence of funds and the lack of interest of the complainant, the Provincial Ombudsman Abbottabad terminated further proceedings in the case and issued orders to formally close it.