Residents of Punjab district in Afghanistan’s central Bamiyan province say years of deteriorating roads and lack of reconstruction have made daily life increasingly difficult, limiting access to transportation, health care and other essential services.
Local residents say many of the district’s roads remain unpaved and in poor condition, forcing travelers to spend hours navigating rough terrain, particularly during harsh weather conditions.
For families seeking urgent medical treatment, the situation can become especially dangerous.
Residents say patients are often transported over long distances on damaged roads, delaying access to clinics and hospitals and, in some cases, putting lives at risk.
“Our roads are not good at all,” said Dawood, a local driver in the district. “I drive a passenger vehicle, and we are constantly facing difficulties and problems because the roads are in such bad condition.”
Others in the district called for immediate government attention to rebuild and standardize the road network, saying poor infrastructure has disrupted ordinary life across the area.
“The roads are very damaged,” said Ahmad Zaki, a resident of Bamiyan. “If work is done on them, it will benefit everyone.”
Residents also pointed to broader economic and environmental pressures affecting the district, including water shortages and declining groundwater levels.
“There is also drought and water scarcity,” said Abdullah, another resident. “Water levels in wells have fallen sharply, and people need more assistance.”
Local sources said officials have repeatedly promised improvements to the roads but that no significant reconstruction efforts have yet begun.
The complaints reflect broader infrastructure challenges across Afghanistan, where decades of war, economic instability and underinvestment have left many roads damaged or incomplete.
Even in Kabul and other major cities, deteriorating highways and poorly maintained roads remain a major public concern. Traffic accidents linked to unsafe roads continue to cause deaths and injuries across the country.
Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, infrastructure development has slowed in many parts of the country amid economic crisis, reduced international funding and declining public investment.
Bamiyan, a mountainous central province known for its remote districts and difficult terrain, has long faced infrastructure shortages and limited access to public services compared with other parts of Afghanistan.
Residents of Punjab district say the continued neglect of roads has deepened their isolation and made already difficult living conditions even harder.
