Bridge collapse sends mini-truck plunging

Locals say wooden bridge buckled under heavy traffic

BALAKOT:

A vehicle crossing the wooden bridge installed over Kunhar River at Shohal near Balakot was suspended in the air after the bridge broke down. The bridge, which broke down while the vehicle was passing over it, connects a population of 50,000, comprising two union councils and eight village councils. It has now become impossible to cross the bridge even on foot.

Tariq, the elected chairman of the region, and other citizens say that several times the media and newspapers have drawn the government's attention to the dilapidated condition of the bridge but neither the Mansehra administration nor the elected representatives could pay heed to the problem.

“The relevant authorities and the administration have been directed to repair the long wooden bridge, but they do not have time for the people,” the locals lamented and alleged that the elected representatives run away after getting votes.

Although no loss of life was reported in the incident, the bridge is no longer suitable for traffic. The residents have demanded the provincial and federal governments immediately reconstruct the bridge. It is noteworthy that in the past two people have died after falling from this bridge.

Contractor closes bridge over non-payment of dues

A contractor shut down a bridge, built over the canal in Balakot’s flood-affected Manor Valley, over non-payment of his contract amount.

Sources said recent devastating floods swept away the main bridge of Manor Valley due to which several people remained trapped for days as the bridge could not be restored.

According to local people, Kaghan Development Authority (KDA) awarded the contract to one of the locals to restore the destroyed bridge, however, he pulled it down and closed it for traffic over non-payment of the contract amount.

At the request of the locals, he reinstalled the bridge and gave a two-day ultimatum to the KDA for payment of his contract money. Moreover, he said that in case of non-payment of money on time, the bridge will be demolished.

In this regard, former councillor of Manor Valley, Muhammad Younis Mughal, said that the population of Manor Valley consists of thousands of people who have been severely affected by the recent floods. He said that the closure of the bridge is causing extreme difficulty for the residents of the area as they are confined to one side of the canal. He confirmed that the contractor has not been paid yet due to which he is threatening to demolish the bridge.

On the other hand, Director KDA General Muhammad Tariq said that the KDA has provided funds only for the installation of chairlifts at the local level. He claimed that the KDA has nothing to do with the construction of the bridge on the Manor Canal and that the KDA is not authorised to provide funds for the construction of this bridge.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2022.