Bridge over Nullah Korang in doldrums

ISLAMABAD: Residents of Bara Kahu have expressed serious concern over the dilapidated condition of the bridge over Nullah Korang and have demanded immediate construction of a new bridge.

There is only one bridge in Bara Kahu that connects Nullah Korang with Murree road. Bara Kahu has a population of 0.3 million and residents have no option but to use this bridge, which is highly risky and can collapse anytime.

A new bridge was being built to facilitate residents but after the heavy monsoon rain, construction work was stopped.

“Travelling across the bridge is like crossing the Pak-India border,” said Baber Qureshi, a shopkeeper at Simly Dam road in Bara Kahu. He said the already difficult journey over the bridge becomes all the more riskier during the monsoon season, as water overflows during heavy rains. “Given its condition, the bridge can collapse any moment.”

Qureshi said that a new bridge was being built to replace the old one, which was supposed to be completed by September. “The new bridge was a big hope for us, but its construction has been stopped without any obvious reason,” he added.

Mohammad Shabbir, a resident of PTV colony Simly Dam road, said that during rush hours, it takes him around two hours just to cross the bridge. “In the morning I have to stand in long queues and wait for my turn to cross the bridge, and nowadays in Ramazan, it has become unbearable,” said Shabbir. He said that if this continues, it will become difficult for his children to reach school on time. While talking to The Express Tribune, a property dealer said that people are discouraged to purchase or rent a house in the area, given the shabby condition of the bridge and its long queues.

Regional Director of the local government, Hassan Abbass, said that construction on the new bridge over Nullah Korang was stopped when its north-west wing was destroyed by the recent heavy rains. He said that the construction of the bridge cannot be continued as there is heavy water flow in Nullah Korang.

Contrary to Abbass’s claims, The Express Tribune has learnt through official sources in the Islamabad Administration, that construction of the new bridge over Nullah Korang has been stopped due to lack of funds. When enquired, Spokesperson Capital Development Authority Ramzan Sajid said that Member National Assembly Rukhsana Bangash was responsible for funding construction of the new bridge at Bara Kahu. Rukhsana Bangash was unavailable for comment.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2010.