HERAT CITY (PAN): Growing insecurity, lack of potable water, deteriorated health and education sector and dilapidated condition of roads were among major problems of Badghis residents.
 
Mohammad Mashal, a resident of Qala-i-now, the provincial capital said there were enormous problems of the people but lack of potable water was the major one.
 
He said the government did not pay any heed to resolve the long-standing clean drinking water issue. Recently, the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) completed a project to have access to potable water but that was not enough for the large segment of society. People drink saline which created many health problems, he added.
 
Hailing from the same district, Abdul Muqim complained because of absence of potable water, they used to buy jerry canes’ of water at the rate of 50 Afs. He said people of his area were mostly poor who could not afford to buy drinking water daily.
 
Abdul Haq Majroh, a resident of Moqur district linked the sinking quality of education to the unavailability of professional teachers, textbooks and schools having no buildings.
 
“My three kids study in schools but they have no books. One of my kid take the same book to school when another returns,” he said, adding his children did not have access to education in native language. 
 
Muhammad Gul, a resident of Balamurghab district said mounting insecurity and dilapidated condition of roads were constant sources of trouble for locals. “I risk my live every day whenever I go to the provincial capital. There is looming threat of an attack by militants.” The government should adopt stringent security measures to address problems of the residents, he demanded.
 
Sulaimankhil, a resident of Qadis district said they were facing lack of health services and mostly their patients died on their way to hospitals due to long and dilapidated condition of roads. 
 
“There is no efficient doctor in the district and even provincial capital, and the pharmacies are also selling low quality drugs without any check from the government,” he informed.
 
Abdullah Durani, a civil society activist told Pajhwok Afghan News the construction of Badghis-Herat highway had been delayed, adding that initial work on the much-needed highway could not be started yet.
 
Abdul Majid Shekib, member of Badghis provincial council admitted considerably delaying tactics in the construction of Badghis- Heart Highway.
 
Eng. Habibullah Taimori, provincial head of Public Works Department said work on the highway was stopped because of winter, adding that hectic work on the highway had now be started.