THATTA, Nov 29: The long diversions created due to much-delayed construction of three road bridges between Ghaghar railway crossing and Gharo on National Highway have proved to be the most convenient money making venues for highwaymen who regularly deprive occupants of vehicles of their valuables.

This was stated by Thatta District Nazim Syed Shafqat Hussain Shah Shirazi in his letter to federal minister for communication on Tuesday.

He said that the National Highway had been taken over by National Highway Authority (NHA) a federally administered wing of communication department, from provincial highways department some eight months ago.

In phase one the NHA has taken the task of widening and renovation of the highway from Ghaghar Phatak to Kotri.

The NHA dismantled three major bridges erected on mountainous rain water routes on the highway to reconstruct them prior to resumption of road widening task.

The Nazim regretted that six months have passed but the bridges were still in half way of completion.

Meanwhile the NHA have created long diversions through the low lying hilly terrain, which have proved to be most suitable for robberies on the highway.

Besides, the diversion routes are the causes of routine hour-long traffic blockade.

Demanding the early completion of the bridges, the district Nazim has also advised the ministry to intensify the police patrolling at the diversion sites to overcome the ever swelling graph of robberies there as the highway was of second importance after the Super Highway regarding heavy traffic to upcountry from Karachi.