UPPER DIR: A resident of Maina Khawar collects ‘tax’ of Rs20 from each vehicle passing through a makeshift bridge made by him over a stream on the main Dir-Chitral Road near Lowari tunnel, the drivers say.

They have demanded of National Highway Authority to construct a permanent bridge over the stream.

The bridge, made of logs over the stream, provides a safe way to the vehicles. The water flow in the stream increases during rains and makes it difficult for the vehicles to go cross the stream. Due to heavy rains and snowfall in the area in the current season, water level has increased and vehicles face hardships to cross the stream.

The drivers say that the man has provided a temporary safe passage for their vehicles by building the makeshift bridge. However, they say that the amount should be reduced as they have to pay Rs20 again if they return immediately after dropping passengers on the other side of the bridge.

The drivers say that National Highway Authority should have built a bridge or repair the portion of the road because they are paying double tax to the authority and the ‘owner’ of the bridge.

They say that the bridge is dangerous as it is narrower and slippery. “The owner of the bridge should take a reasonable amount of Rs5 or Rs10 from us,” says, Umer Wahid, a driver.

Tehsil nazim Mir Makhzan Din says that he is aware of the difficulties of the drivers. He says that tehsil council can’t construct a bridge on the stream because that road is the property of NHA. He adds that they will request NHA to set up a permanent bridge in the area.

The ‘owner’ of the bridge says that he is serving passengers and drivers because vehicles can get damage and even drown in the stream in the absence of bridge. He adds that Rs20 is not a huge amount because he has left his others activities for remaining on the bridge.

The drivers have demanded of NHA to construct a proper bridge over the stream.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2019