Inauguration: 70,000 to benefit from a newly built bridge

Longitude: 330 metre is the length of the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan at Barikot. PHOTO: FILE

The 330-metre-long Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Bridge was inaugurated by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The bridge has been funded by the UAE government at a cost of $12.46 million. The bridge connects about 70,000 people in Shomozo valley with the rest of Swat and will facilitate about 5,000 vehicles daily, said a press statement.

The bridge was washed away in the 2010 floods. The new bridge was constructed by Frontier Works Organisation in collaboration with the UAE government. The bridge was executed by UAE-PAP under Khalifa Bin Zayed Charity Foundation, which support and finance roads and bridges projects.

COAS Gen. Kayani inspected the completed bridge along with a delegation of the UAE. Peshawar Corps Commander Lt. Gen Khalid Rabbani, Swat Operations In-charge Major General Ghulam Qamar and other high officials were also present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2012.