GUJRAT: The concrete slabs of an under-construction bridge on Ghan storm water channel near Jhelum collapsed on Sunday prior to its likely inauguration by the Punjab chief minister next month.

The government has ordered an inquiry into the incident. However, no loss of life or injury was reported.

The Ghan bridge’s foundation stone had been laid back in November 2014 since the project was of great importance for the people of Jhelum and Pind Dadan Khan to connect both the tehsils.

The Punjab government had approved the Rs330 million project on the recommendation of MPA Chaudhry Laal Khan. The bridge was likely to be completed by mid-June. However, the concrete slabs on the centre of the bridge collapsed early on Sunday morning during a thunderstorm.

Jhelum District Coordination Officer Iqbal Husain Khan while talking to the officials of the district government and the respective department said the incident would thoroughly be probed by a high-ranking team.

MPA Laal Khan also inspected the collapsed slabs after which in a statement issued by the Jhelum DCO, the MPA was quoted as saying that apparently some technical fault on the part of the engineers might be the cause of the incident; however nothing clear could be said without proper investigation into the matter.

Sources in Jhelum said the use of substandard material as well as the alleged negligence of the highways department in the construction of the bridge seemed to be the reasons for the incident.

The bridge was being constructed by Sheikh Nazar and Company.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2016