EXPERIENCES OF SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES BYEMERGENCY ROADS RECOVERY PROJECT

EMERGENCY ROADS RECOVERY PROJECTGOVERNMENT OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

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Every action begins with a thought. And behind all our actions, one thought remained paramount - how to contribute towards bringing peace, prosperity and progress back in the lives of the people we serve. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Emergency Roads Recovery Project has journeyed through a long and difficult path to reach its first destination surpassing countless milestones along the way.

Deliverance is a first-hand narrative of the outcomes of our experiences and endeavors as we worked hard together with the communities in mobilising local services to roll out the mega road rehabilitation drive between Dadahara and Kanju in Swat. Project progress reviews and impact assessment surveys have revealed that the quality of socioeconomic lives of the people hailing from the adjoining as well as distant localities have improved considerably in terms of access to better education facilities, healthcare services, transportation systems and livelihood prospects.

Financed under the Multi-Donor Trust Fund and administered by the World Bank, the ERRP has been an exceptional success both in terms of accumulating project goals and in turn achieving the projected outcomes. This publication brings together first-hand interpretations of some of the life touching outcomes which attribute directly to the efforts and undertakings of ERRP. While we take pride in sharing these stories, we are aware of the fact that we need to move on with perseverance to get to the finish line.

As we prepare for the next phase of the project implementation, we take the experiences, lessons and achievements that we have gathered to continue with the same zeal to further strengthen foundations of the laid down path that leads to more peace, prosperity and progress for the citizens of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

We hope that you have a stimulating reading experience and please do give us your word of encouragement and improvement.

Muhammad Aslam KhanProject DirectorEmergency Roads Recovery Project

Deliverance of potential

M. .Aslam Khan

The 15.50 kilometers high-end road infrastructure connecting villages

and communities on the right bank of Swat River signifies something far greater than a successful civil works initiative completed almost a year ahead of its specified time. More importantly, it has opened new avenues of social and economic opulence for the people who are slowly but surely turning the potential into reality.

One of the top performing academic institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Tipu Shaheed School and College Swat has numerous distinctions to its credit. Located in Kabal tehsil of Swat district, it has grown up to become a frontrunner in academic as well as extracurricular activities since its inception in 1994.

ENABLING FRIENDSHIPS for a lifetimeAn inspirational account of how the Emergency Roads Recovery Project is contributing towards promotion of education in Swat

Let us immerse ourselves in the story of three friends, Aiman, Habiba and Saba currently enrolled in the 4th grade at Tipu Shaheed School and College Swat.

While they are separated by geographic distances, as the three of them live in distinct localities, they have formed a formidable bond of friendship since the very first day of joining their school. Within the class, they sit next to each other, learn their lessons within a group and are even seen playing together during the break time. Their class fellows and school teachers are in awe of their lasting friendship.

While Habiba lives in a nearby village named as Gul Jabba, Saba and Aiman have to cover considerable distance every morning to get to the school. Customarily, Habiba would be the first to school because of her close proximity but then she would have to wait endlessly for her friends to join her during the morning assembly. “Attending the morning assembly by myself would distress me when my friends could not join me in time. The main road was in a bad shape so it took them considerable time to get to the school which meant that they would often miss the morning assembly and sometimes the first lecture”.

Backing Habiba’s argument, Aiman reflects upon her travel experience of the past. “I would often get late to the school because the road was all broken and the school bus could not travel any faster. I would also get scolded by my class teacher for being late to the school but

it was not in my hands to be more punctual”. Not only was the worn-out road infrastructure a major impediment to children’s academic performance, it also posed serious health and hygiene risks as pools of rainwater would surface on the road and at the banks after a wet spell, which is extreme and prevalent in this part of Swat.

Under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Emergency Roads Recovery Project, priority reconstruction and improvement of the strategic Dadahara-Kanju road was taken up which also ventures through the Tipu Shaheed School and College Swat. The flood in 2010 had not only washed away the road but left the roadside drainage systems in a dilapidated condition.

The ERRP Project Management Unit’s seamless performance ensured that the road reconstruction and improvement was possible much ahead of its anticipated completion time. “Now I am able to get to the school on time and join my friends for the morning assembly. Also, my uniform stays neat when I go back home. My parents and teachers are as fond of my punctuality as they are of my academics”, are the words spoken by Saba with a big grin on her face.

In time for the first lecture

Mixing gravel and sand with grit and determination

For Habiba, the wait is over

When the morning assembly begins, Aiman, Habiba and Saba stand next to each other as they prepare to recite the national anthem together with one voice.

According to estimates, more than half of Swat’s population contributes to tourism in one way or the other. Expansion of tourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is largely due to improvement in transportation systems.

PAVING THE PATHWAYS towards newer destinationsA captivating anecdote of how the Emergency Roads Recovery Project has improved private and commercial transportation

“The new road has given a second and better option to people with an interest to visit Kabal. From nearby

locations such as Mingora to distant places like Karachi, a large number of tourists hired

our services particularly during this year’s summer season. The road has made a difference in terms of travel time reduction and fuel cost saving”. A recently concluded “Beneficiary Satisfaction Survey” conducted by the World Bank has reported that 97% of those interviewed held the opinion that road completion has influenced their travel time by reducing it considerably.“Prior to road improvement, it would take us as much as five long hours travelling between Chakdarra and Kabal. That time has now come down incredibly to an hour and a half. Undoubtedly, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Emergency Roads Recovery Project has been one of the mega developments that the people of this area have experienced with remarkable outcomes in terms of quality and delivery”.

With a penchant for travel and

a desire to explore new destinations, Noor Muhammad has combined his interest and profession to run Swat Rent-a-Car Service Company. His constantly buzzing phone is an indication that these are busy days for him because of his business which is largely dependent on the influx of tourists.

“Not only has the road enabled safer and faster travel for tourists from Kabal to other parts of Malakand Division, there is a reduction of 13 kilometers’ distance, resulting in lesser wear and tear of the vehicles reducing operational costs

substant ia l l y. Due to the rocky road structure in the past, engines would require

overhauling much before their prescribed service life because we run sedan cars which are not purposely built for off-road driving conditions”.

Revival of tourism in Swat following the disasters in 2009 and 2010 has been the mainstay of rehabilitation efforts of the

government and citizens alike. Swat has always held a significant place on the landscape of Pakistan’s tourism sector owing to a plethora of scenic and recreational avenues.

Although the right bank of Swat River has scores of fascinating drives, the ragged transportation link was a compelling reason for people not to take the road on this side of the river. Umrah Khan, a resident of Kabal, is associated with transport business for the last twenty five years from the time when he established the Swat Coach Private Limited.

Turning to newer journeys

Keeping track of swelling tourist reservations

Natural splendor combines manmade

spectacle

The phone keeps buzzing with client calls

Noor Muhammad feels his passion for travelling reignited and desires to drive his clients far and wide even beyond expanses he himself hasn’t been to.

Of all the districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Swat district provided comparably better healthcare services until the dual crisis in 2009 and 2010. As of now, one of the priority strategic interventions calls for improving the quality and outreach of primary health.

OFFERING REMEDIES for a healthier tomorrowA resounding prescription of how the Emergency Roads Recovery Project has brought primary healthcare within people’s reach

In Swat district, shortcomings in technical and financial capacities have contributed to inadequate response of healthcare providers to the needs of the masses. Post disaster rehabilitation efforts of the government and international development partners prioritised recovery of healthcare infrastructure and services, but the potential remained largely unfulfilled.

This void has been covered to some extent by privately owned and operated medical entities which are existent in different localities of Swat. However, the paucity of basic

health still persisted in Kabal tehsil and the neighbouring areas. It was largely attributed to the unattended condition of the Dadahara-Kanju road disqualifying it to be a viable focal point since healthcare service delivery requires ease of access for patients and faster mobility during medical emergencies.

One of the most tangible benefits of the vastly improved access road is that medical specialists and health practitioners are now encouraged to offer their expertise and services for the benefit of the local people. One of the many recently opened medicine retail outlets is Wahid Medical Store. Wahid Khan is a certified medical pharmacist and in addition to selling over-the-counter medicines also prescribes medications to tackle minor ailments such as cold and cough.

“Since my childhood days, I aspired to serve the people of my village in a positive way. Although, I could not become a doctor due to lack of opportunities, I did not give up on my childhood dream and persisted with my education in the allied field of medical sciences. Today, I am not only looking after the needs of my family, I am also taking care of the people of my village by contributing within my own means towards their healthiness”.

Further down the road, Zeenat Nawaz Clinic and Maternity Home has become operational providing six days a week specialised services on

women and maternal issues. Asghar Ali, a resident of Kabal, who recently had a baby girl, could not even foresee that a road construction project would additionally bring along

essential health services right at their doorstep. “It got me worried whenever I would think of my childbirth because we had to previously rely on maternity care available to us in Mingora and Saidu Sharif, which are at a along distance from here. I cannot find words to adequately thank Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Emergency Roads Reconstruction Project’s team for giving us countless reasons to smile and cherish”.

As Asghar Ali picks up his 2 month old baby girl, his eyes shine with the affection of a father and an imagination of her becoming a doctor.

Swifter road travel, faster medical care

His dreams are now within reach

Safeguarding a healthier future

Accessible facilities for mothers and newborns

FOSTERING OPPORTUNITIES for improved livelihoodsA promising narrative of how the Emergency Roads Recovery Project is contributing towards rise in incomes and livelihoods

For long, the trade and business outlook of Swat has been distinguished for diverse forms of arts and crafts. However, of late, a new entrepreneurial spirit seems to have been invigorated within its livelihood portfolio. Such is the story of Sardaryab Fresh

Fish Centre. Named after a leisure spot in Charsadda district, it specialises in serving fried fish marinated and served with local delicacies. Muhammad Arif, the owner and head chef, is experiencing a phenomenal surge in orders as commuters and vacationers stop by enroute to run routine chores or visit tourist attractions.

“I have been running this place for the last ten years but the business could not pick-up to my liking because there wouldn’t be much travel on the road that remained in a hapless state. Also, I could not give full attention to my restaurant business because I had to take the road to Mingora bazaar to buy essential items and supplies eating up considerable amount of my business time”.

Now, things seem to have changed exponentially for Arif with the completion of the road under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Emergency Roads Recovery Project. “It hardly takes me twenty minutes on average to get to Mingora and back, and finding transportation is not a problem either”. According to estimates, substantial increase in clientele has sky-rocketed the profit margins by 85 percent as Arif plans to open a second fresh fish eatery within the next four to six months. The booming business has not only enhanced the monthly income of Arif but has also contributed towards local employment generation with the hiring of more people to meet the cooking and serving needs.

While Arif is having his fair share of soaring fortune, several other businesses have also opened their products and services to thev growing numbers of passengers and travellers. Another such business outfit is Abbas Petroleum Services located in the vicinity of Akhund Kalay on the rehabilitated Kabal road in Swat.

Tilawat Khan, the owner of the refuelling station was at one time intently thinking of

selling off his business venture and moving to Saidu Sharif which would have been a major financial setback in terms of loss of investment. His plans have certainly changed, and that too for good. “The improved quality and reach of the road has considerably increased the number of commercial and passenger vehicles as we are dealing with refuelling numbers never experienced before. Because of the high demand, I have made a further investment in installing a third dispenser to manage the load”.

His postgraduate son and the next in line to run the business, Bilal Siddique has joined hands with his father to expand the family business by opening a multipurpose kiosk shop within the parameters of the refuelling station. The so-called Abbas Cash and Carry is giving more than one reason for the vehicles and passengers to stop by to refuel and refresh.

A job-seeker turned entrepreneur

A complete business turnaround

Fresh fish just a stop away

Proud owner of a flourishing

business Bilal was planning to move abroad to find an employment in a business management firm. Now, he has plans to give employment to local youth to help him run and manage his thriving business.

The potential of doing business in Swat far outweighs other areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to indigenous skill base and availability of abundant commercial prospects.

M. .Aslam Khan

EMERGENCY ROADS RECOVERY PROJECTGOVERNMENT OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA