SIALKOT, Feb 17: The work on 1.3-kilometre-long bridge over River Tavi near Bajwat, suspended for the last eight months after the contractor abandoned the project, has yet to start.

National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Ameer Husain had laid the foundation of the bridge and vowed that it would be completed in a year. For the Rs160 million project, the federal government had promised Rs100 million while the Punjab government the remaining amount.

The local people said that the contractor had abandoned the project because of delay in payments.

Moreover, political differences among the local politicians aggravated the situation, they added.

They have appealed to President Musharraf to look into the matter and order immediate completion of the project.

When contacted, the official concerned avoided giving any comment.

Meanwhile, this correspondent visited the site and saw some pillars erected there. They were also affected by floods in the river during the last monsoon rains.

It may be recalled that the area falls in the constituency of National Assembly speaker, Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Cabinet Division Dr Fardous Ashiq Awan and Punjab Industries Minister Ajmal Cheema.