UPPER DIR: The dilapidated condition of the wooden jeepable bridge in Charagali area of Upper Dir district has endangered the lives of thousands of local residents, who have no choice but to use it many times daily.

The people told Dawn the bridge was a only means of access between the area and other parts of the district, so they had to use it anyway.

They said the bridge had begin to fall apart few months ago and they contacted the district administration, district nazim and elected representatives in the district many times for help, but to no avail. Gohar Rehman, resident of Charagali, said thousands of the residents of four villages used the bridge on daily basis to go to Dir and other areas of the country.

He said though scared of the bridge due to its dilapidated condition, the people had no choice but to use it.

“We have filed many applications with the relevant people and even discussed the matter with them verbally but got no positive response,” he said.

The drivers of public transport vehicles said the bridge was a constant threat to the lives of its users including them but they had no other means of access between their area and other parts of the region. They said they had to take the risk to earn a livelihood for family.

“We feel so much fear while crossing the bridge but we can’t do anything about it,” a driver said.

He said the people would be able to avoid the dilapidated bridge only after the ongoing work on the road between Chukiatan and Sheringal was completed.

The people said the bridge was made initially for small and light vehicles but with the passage of time, big and heavy vehicles including loaded trucks too began to use it and thus, adversely affecting its condition.

They warned they would protest if the bridge was not repaired soon.

Published in Dawn November 16th, 2016