ISLAMABAD, Sept 1: The National Highway Authority has admitted that it kept the collapsed Shershah Bridge under observation and opened it for traffic only after the NHA was fully satisfied with its firmness and strength.

A statement released by the NHA said the bridge had been completed about two years ago. “After that, a fault developed in its design and foreign experts were approached for consultation. The bridge was redesigned in accordance with the recommendations of the consultants. It was later opened for traffic on experimental basis,” the statement added.

The NHA said that during this period the bridge had been kept under observation and after complete satisfaction it was formally inaugurated on Aug 6 by President Pervez Musharraf.

The statement said the bridge collapsed after one of its pillars had displaced from its position. The 1.2km-long Shershah Bridge is part of the 57km Karachi Northern Bypass. It was constructed by the National Logistic Cell and a foreign firm, Engineering Consultants International, was hired for consultancy purposes.