State of distress: Villagers demand repair of suspension bridge

Structure is causing difficulties for them; PTI MPA blamed for not fulfilling promise to repair

HARIPUR: Villagers have urged the relevant authorities to repair Kharan Bridge on Siran River in Haripur. They believe it is in a dilapidated condition and could put them in harm’s way.

In the past few months many of the wooden planks used in the construction have either been damaged or removed by miscreants.

The villagers have blamed PTI MPA Faisal Zaman - who is also chairperson of District Development Advisory Committee Haripur - for not fulfilling his promise to repair the structure.

Human cost

Liaqat, a resident of Kharan village, told The Express Tribune the 195-feet-long and 76-feet-high suspension bridge on Siran River was constructed in 1965. There was no other land route that connects 50,000 residents of various villages to Beer Bazaar and the urban areas of Haripur. Villagers continue to use the bridge today as it is the shortest route into the urban parts of the district, even though the government constructed a cemented bridge on the river a few years ago.

Schoolchildren and farmers use the bridge every day and its poor condition has made it difficult for them to cross it. Recently, two schoolchildren fell through the gaps in the planks while crossing the bridge but escaped unhurt due to running water in the river.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2016.