Off the Afghan Map: Nuristan residents appeal for decent road access

Tucked away in the steep folds of the Hindu Kush mountains, the people of Nuristan have long battled isolation. But for residents of this eastern Afghanistan province, it’s not just the geography that keeps them cut off — it’s the roads, or rather, the lack thereof.

The province’s main route, a vital artery linking Nuristan’s rugged valleys to the outside world, has become a treacherous track of dust, rock, and frustration. Locals say the road is in such poor condition that what should be a lifeline has instead become a major burden.

“Every time we travel, it’s a gamble,” said Mohammad Nazir, a driver who regularly ferries passengers through the region. “Landslides, flat tires, broken axles — these are daily problems. We just want a real road.”

Nuristan, celebrated for its emerald forests and striking mountain landscapes, draws hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists every year. But many never make it in. The journey, locals say, is enough to turn back even the most determined traveler.

Currently, a 22-kilometer section of the Kunar-Nuristan highway is under reconstruction, with work said to be about halfway complete. The road, planned to be nine meters wide, is part of a larger push by the Ministry of Public Works to improve connectivity in Afghanistan’s remote provinces.

Provincial officials say the project is progressing swiftly. More than 70 pieces of heavy machinery are in operation, and hundreds of Nuristanis have found work on the site. But patience is wearing thin.

“We’ve waited decades for a proper road,” said a local elder in Parun. “This should have been done long ago. We hope they won’t abandon the project halfway.”

The stakes are high. Beyond tourism, poor infrastructure affects nearly every aspect of life in Nuristan. Villagers report long delays in transporting patients to hospitals, skyrocketing prices for goods, and a lack of access to basic services.

While other parts of the country have begun to see a patchwork of paved roads, Nuristan remains without a single asphalted network. The province’s challenging terrain means road construction here isn’t just costly — it’s monumental.

For now, residents continue to rely on gravel roads and sheer determination. But their message to Kabul is clear: “Don’t forget us in the mountains.”

As one local put it: “We don’t need a miracle — just a road that works.”