KABALGRAM: A long suspension bridge on Indus river, connecting Shangla with Torghar at Kabalgram was collapsed, suspending the sole communication with the rest of region.
According to locals, the incident took place the other day when a loaded Pick-up was crossing the suspension bridge and it could not bear the load some of its ropes broken which resulted fallen of planks.
“We had been used the bridge for transportation as we have not any other source for crossing the Indus river. After its collapse now we will use boats for crossing the river and goods supply which is a dangour work,” Said, Taj Akbar, a local.
He said, district administration Torghar when asked, it replied that the bridge is owned by Shangla district and Torghar administration is not responsible for it, however Shangla administration also not interested in its repair.
Haji Umar Said Khan, a local elder, said that the 600 feet long bridge was rebuilt the MNA a year ago and after a year it had developed cracks and guarders were swinging and suddenly went down on it due to its bad condition.
“It is a major and crucial bridge for transportation of several villages including Kabalgram of Martung tehsil but owing lack of cementory strong bridge, the suspension bridge always collapse,” He said.
Haji Rafiullah, another local, said that when a vehicle cross the Indus river on bridge, people unload their goods and take in hands and on shoulders to another side of the bridge due to fear of ramshackle bridge.
He said, they bring foods and other goods from Torghar and Thakoot of Battagram areas and the bridge was only path connecting Kabalgram with the rest of country, particularly Torghar and Thakoot but now they will have making arrangements for repairing the bridge, however the bridge is now closed for transportation and walking.
He added that the stranded pick-up was took out from the bridge by local people on self help basis.
