SHANGLA: The residents of Lelonai here on Saturday demanded of the upcoming government to build a bridge on Lelonai Khwar Kallay River as they faced difficulties and suffered casualties by crossing the river.

They said that the bridge linking Kadona area with Lelonai was washed away in the 2010 flash floods. They said that the people had no other option, but to cross the river on foot.

“We have to wait for the water flow to decrease to go to the other side of the river. It is the only option to cross the river to reach our homes and move out of the area,” Mohammad Akmal Shah, a resident, said while talking to this correspondent.

He said that women and students had been facing severe difficulties while crossing the river. The parents often remain reluctant to send their children to schools during rains.

Village council nazim Sher Ali said that the bridge was essential for the local people so that they could cross the river without any fear of flood and water flow increase to reach their destinations.

He said that they had not received the second installment of their local body funds. He said that they wanted to build a wooden bridge as a makeshift arrangement, but that would not be a permanent solution of the issue.

The nazim also demanded of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf upcoming government to build the bridge for them on priority. Mirza Ali, another resident, said that many people, including children, were injured after falling while crossing the river.

When contacted, MPA-elect Shaukat Yousafzai pledged that he would solve all issues of Lelonai on priority. He said that the bridge would be built soon.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2018