SHANGLA: Residents of Jatkool area of Chakesar tehsil here have demanded repair of a suspension bridge damaged in a recent windstorm.
Talking to reporters on Monday, they said the 300-meter-long wooden bridge on the Indus River, which connects them with rest of the district, was used for transporting both goods and people.
Atta ur Rehman, a social activist, said the bridge was repaired a year ago, adding another bridge in Kabalgram area was also damaged, troubling the residents.
“Our area has been ignored in uplift projects and they are forced to use the wooden bridge to cross the mighty Indus risking their lives. We want the authorities to build a concrete bridge for their safety,” he demanded.
Mohammad Anwar, another local, said about 10,000 people were suffering due to dilapidated condition of the bridge. He said elected representatives had been informed about it, but to no avail. He said the windstorm had blown away several wooden planks of the bridge.
The local residents demanded the KP’s government and elected lawmakers to come forward and get repaired the bridge and also include in ADP for construction a cemetery bridge for them, so that they could get rid of the bridge issue permanently.