MANSEHRA: Recent torrential rains in Upper Hazara have damaged infrastructure, paralyzing several villages in the district. One such essential structure is Bela Manoor Bridge in Mahandri union council, an important connection point for the area, which was swept away.
The bridge was built at a cost of Rs2.5m after the earthquake in 2005 but with substandard material, said Dil Pazeer, a resident of Bela Manoor.
“It could not withstand the heavy flow of water during the rainfall in early September this year.” He added the small bridge is used to connect over half a dozen villages and localities. A population of over 20,000 villagers used to cross this bridge to travel to different city areas. He complained poor construction left the bridge prone to damage.
Babar Jehangiri, another villager, said after the bridge fell apart in rains, locals patched it up with wooden planks. Jehangiri said the repair job has made the bridge dangerous to cross, especially for children and the old.
“Others like villagers who use it to bring fodder for their cattle or schoolchildren face difficulties because of this.” Rushing patients to hospitals is another concern, he added.
He added the local MPA will be held responsible in case of a mishap.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 19th, 2014.
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