SHANGLA: The local people, particularly transporters, have complained a narrow and dilapidated bridge over Ghorband Khwar (river) linking Shangla with Swat often causes traffic jams, troubling the commuters.

The bridge was built in 1964 by the then ruler of Swat state Miangul Jahanzeb over the river in the middle of Alpuri Bazaar. It is just 10-foot wide and 20-foot long, causing traffic jams.

“Only one vehicle can pass the bridge at a time, leading to gridlocks on the busy road,” Fazal Rehman, a transporter, said.

He said the Swat-Bisham Road was widened but the Alpuri bridge was not rebuilt.

“Three bridges were built by then Swat ruler – in Alpuri, Bada Gatha and Kotkay-- of which Bada Gatha bridge was washed away in 2010 flash floods, and the remaining are still intact but are too narrow,” Ali Bhash Khan, a civil society activist, said, adding the National Highway Authority did not reconstruct the bridge except Bada Gatha.

He said the traffic jam issue in the Alpuri Bazaar could not be resolved until the bridge was widened.

Hayatullah, a cab driver, said traffic jam in Alpuri was a routine as the number of vehicles on the road was increasing.

“We face hardships owing to the narrow bridge, particularly on weekdays, as Alpuri is the headquarters of the Shangla district,” He lamented

Afsarul Mulk Afghan, a local, said the bridge could collapse anytime because of its dilapidated condition.

The locals demanded of the government to rebuild the bridge.

When contacted, PML-N provincial president Amir Muqam, said the bridge would be widened as part of the upcoming expressway project.

RAMAZAN PACKAGE: The students distributed Ramazan food package among the families of coalminers in Alpuri on Sunday.

The package included rice, sugar, dates, ghee, flour, beans, beverages and tea.

CATTLE VACCINATED: The district wildlife department vaccinated cattle in Ghorband area of Alpuri on Sunday.

Field assistant Shuakat Ali said they had completed the mobile clinic campaign. He said the drive was launched after the people complained that their cattle had contracted diseases.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2018