Crumbling bridge poses threat to users

Citizens demand immediate repair of 200-year-old historical bridge to avert mishaps

RAWALPINDI:

The 200-year-old railway bridge at Dhok Chiragh Din in the Cantonment area is in a dilapidated condition due to lack of maintenance.

Before the partition, British forces used to use this bridge to transport rations, weapons, and other military equipment to the Cantonment area.

Abdul Ghani, a 75-year-old resident of the area, said that the ancient railway bridge was of great historical significance. “We had heard from our elders that only the British army freight train could pass through this bridge. The freight train was used to carry military supplies, weapons, and rations to restore food supplies,” he said adding the train has stopped passing through this bridge almost 30 years ago.

For the past 30 years, the bridge has not been used for trains, but now, the bridge connects the Jhanda Chichi with Dhok Chiragh Din.

Abdul Ghani said that this bridge is the only link to connect the densely populated territories in both areas. Men, women, and children use this bridge as a shortcut.

There were fences on both sides which have been stolen and now this bridge is fenceless. Those who walk on this bridge have to stay focused because a pedestrian can fall 35 feet deep under the bridge with the slightest negligence.

Sajjad-ul-Hassan, a resident of Jhanda Chichi, said that children and women cross the bridge and go from one area to another. “Its bars have been broken due to the lack of maintenance. It was a railway bridge, but now it is used by pedestrians. This bridge is very useful, and we demand that the government declare this bridge as national heritage and make it secure,” he said adding that fences should be installed on both sides of the bridge to protect pedestrians.

Sajjad further said that a sewerage channel passes under this bridge while there were piles of dirt on its banks and a flood of encroachments.

This bridge is important to the people living in Dhok Chiragh Din and Jhanda Chichi. Children use this bridge from one area to another for education, which greatly reduces their distance. The people of the area have demanded of the government to ensure the safety of the historic bridge and repair it because of its historical significance.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2022.