HIBAPRESS – Fikri Ouldali
The National Road No. 13, linking the cities of Ouezzane and Chefchaouen, is witnessing a worrying situation, following the recording of collapses and dangerous cracks in a number of sections, which has become a real threat to the safety of users of this vital road axis.
According to consistent data, the recent rainfall, in addition to the fragility of the infrastructure at some mountainous points, has caused deep cracks and soil erosion, leading to the erosion of the road edges and the reduction of its width, which increases the risks of traffic accidents, especially for heavy trucks and passenger transport buses. This road section is a major artery connecting the province of Ouezzane with the province of Chefchaouen and witnesses heavy traffic daily, whether from local residents, merchants, or visitors, which makes any defect in it have direct economic and social repercussions on the region. In this context, a number of road users have expressed their dissatisfaction with the current situation, demanding that the concerned authorities, headed by the Ministry of Equipment and Water, intervene urgently to repair the damage, enhance technical monitoring, and place temporary warning and signaling signs to avoid tragic accidents. Civil society activists also called for adopting sustainable solutions that take into account the specificity of the geographical area, by strengthening the sides of the road, improving the rainwater drainage system, and carrying out preventive works to prevent the recurrence of these collapses in the future. Rapid and responsible intervention remains an urgent necessity to ensure the safety of lives and property, and to maintain the continuity of this vital road axis, pending the development of a comprehensive vision for the rehabilitation of the road network in the mountainous region in a manner consistent with safety and quality requirements.
