SHANGLA: Construction work on four major flood-hit bridges in Shangla district has long been suspended, troubling the people.

The work on these bridges was approved by the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) in 2008 with the

financial support of UNDP, and the projects were scheduled to be completed in 2010.

Construction of Chakesar-Martung bridge on Patai Khwar (river), Kerai-Kormang on Khan Khwar, Karora-Ranyal and Karora-Donai on Khan Khwar was awarded to the same firm, but after a year the company sublet the contracts to another contractor.

Former project manager of Erra Abdul Tawab Khan told Dawn that the bridges were to be completed within two years but due to different excuses of the contractors the projects got delayed.

He said the contractors in a recent meeting with Erra officials had claimed that they suffered huge losses in the 2010 flash floods and refused to start further work on the bridges unless they were paid for the losses.

Izhar-ul-Haq, a local, told Dawn that work on Patai-Khwar bridge had been lying incomplete for long due to which people had to cross the river in jeeps paying heavy fares.

“I met with MNA Ibadullah Khan a year ago but despite his assurance he failed to provide funds for resuming work on the bridge,” he lamented.

Similarly, Ranyal bridge, which links three union councils of Bisham tehsil with rest of the district, also remains incomplete. The contractor also did not resume work on the Kormang bridge.

The locals said they crossed the rivers through suspension bridges made of wood which was always risky.

Sarfaraz Khan, a district councillor, said the contractors cited the lack of funds for stopping work on the bridges. He said 40 to 60 per cent work had been completed on some bridges.

Dawn attempted several times to get version of MNA Ibadullah Khan on the matter, but his phone remained switch off.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2018