RCC bridge connecting Shinaki area of Hunza with Karakoram Highway collapsed on Tuesday before its construction was complete. PHOTO COURTESY: AMJAD BARCHA
An under-construction RCC bridge in Hunza Valley of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) collapsed in the Hunza River on Tuesday, substantiating allegations of corruption that have marred successive regional governments over the years.
Work on Hussainabad Bridge started back in 2006 in order to connect Shinaki area of Hunza with Karakoram Highway (KKH) – the thoroughfare connecting Pakistan with China through G-B. The bridge was supposed to be completed by 2008 at a cost of Rs400 million. However it remained ‘under construction’ till it collapsed in 2014, with its cost reaching over Rs900 million.
“Almost 60% of the work was completed before this unfortunate incident,” a resident of Shinaki and former district council vice chairman, Iman Shah, said on Tuesday.
Shinaki area, which is just short of Hunza town, consists of three villages – Hussainabad, Mayon and Khanabad – with an approximate population of 10,000 people.
“The project (bridge) was to cost slightly over Rs400 million and was supposed to be completed by 2008,” Iman Shah told The Express Tribune.
“As far as I know, payment to the contractor had also been made in advance and this is something we all are worried about,” Shah said, adding three of the pillars caved in as a result of using substandard material.
Minister for Works Bashir Ahmed said a swift enquiry would be conducted to ascertain factors which led to the collapse of the bridge. “It is really painful to hear about it,” Ahmed told The Express Tribune.
“But we will find out what has caused it and we will ensure the culprits are taken to task,” assured Ahmed, who is a senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) which is a coalition partner of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) led government in G-B.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 14th, 2014.
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CS and Secretary GB PWD
The recent news of collapsing of RCC bridge in HN is really disturbing. There is also news that an investigation team has been formed to probe the reasons for the collapse. Who are members of the investigation committee? R they the peers of one's responsible to over see the construction of the bridge or the ones who made the design or vetted the design? If so, it is preposterous. Please don't do it. If u have some vestige of honesty, press to get the investigation done by relevant experts ( Structural design engineers) of NESPAK or other credible entity. The investigation should start from geotechnical/soil investigation studies, engineering design and execution. Most probably, the contractor might have compromised the design requirements.
Investigation by peers will be mockery of all of us, specially the professional engineers from GB. Regards SAJJAD HAIDER Manager Engg. RC, Yanbu, KSA
This is the failure of the GB government that after 9 years 60% work has been done and then it collapse after spending 900 Million. Now the elected representative of Hunza should build pressure on govt. for re-construction of bridge and punish the culprits.
@shnaki the culprits are the officials of the government from chief sectretrory to the chief engineer of the area. where were these management incharge while these structures were erected? what was their QA/QC policy? what was their project management plan? what was invoice generation and re-imbursment schedule?
the PWD department and its employees have become a nightmare for the people of GB. I hope that the fresh blood injected in PWD will change the landscape of the department.
Very Shame and must punish the culprits . Also include PWD senior executives for their weakness and release of payments in advance . This project was supposed to b completed in 2008 but here we are discussing in 2014. This is totally in competency of local people, contractors and administration.
I don't know how engineers and constructors work in our country. why govt. allows such notorious people to work in this country? who would be responsible if casualties had occur. Thanks God lives are saved. I suggest the GB govt. to file a case against the contractors and the engineers. And should be banned life time from working anywhere in Pakistan.