Chinese authorities are ignoring dangerous road conditions in some sections of Sichuan's Ngaba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, creating a public safety hazard in the area that has contributed to at least one death, according to local sources.
Since 2009, heavy rain has riddled the main roads in Ngaba's Barkham county (in Chinese Ma’erkang), where potholes and repeated landslides have sometimes made them impassible, a resident there told RFA’s Tibetan Service.
The poor conditions of the roads are hampering travel, and in one instance prevented people from reaching a hospital, said the resident who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“Several patients requiring urgent transportation to Barkham county hospital were stalled by the hazardous road conditions, and that led to a death on the way,” the resident said.
While road conditions have gotten progressively worse in the area, complaints about the conditions to the Chinese government have failed to generate any action, the resident said.
“The local Tibetan residents and community leaders have repeatedly appealed to the relevant local Chinese administration for immediate action to address the road problems, but so far the authorities have ignored their appeals,” he said.
About 80 miles of road in the area are severely damaged, interrupting travel among the townships of Tsodun, Lunggya, Datsang, Chomdzo, Khangsar, Ribho, and Seryul in Ngaba, the source told RFA.
Reported by Lhuboom for RFA's Tibetan Service. Translated by Dorjee Damdul. Written in English by Brooks Boliek.
