HARIPUR: People of Khanpur area here have demanded early repair and reconstruction of Tarnava bridge, which is in dilapidated condition and poses threat to the lives of commuters.

The Tarnava bridge on Harro River is the only road link between Hazara division and rest of the country for those using Khanpur-Taxila Road daily for their jobs and business purposes.

The tourists visiting Khanpur Lake and Buddhist sites, including Bhamala stupa, also use the same route. During holidays, hundreds of small and large vehicles daily cross the bridge while entering or exiting Khanpur tehsil.

During a visit of Khanpur area, people told this correspondent that illegal excavation of gravel and stones by crushers and heavy flow of water, discharged through spillways of Khanpur Dam, had badly exposed the pillars constructed beneath the bridge.

It was observed that the steel structure of the pillars supporting the main columns of the bridge were visible to the extent that the heavy flow of water would wash the parts of pillars away anytime.

Bridge links Hazara division with rest of country

“We have drawn the attention of tehsil administration and NHA several times to the bad shape of the bridge, but to no avail,” said Arshad, a local trader who travelled daily between Khanpur and Taxila for purchase of grocery items.

Recalling that the Tarnava bridge was rebuilt two years after flood had swept it away in 1992, he said that maintenance of the bridge was not properly ensured while the authorities concerned overlooked gravel and stones excavation beneath the bridge.

Mohammad Nawaz a rickshaw driver, said that after exposure of bridge’s pillars he found the life of his passengers at stake while crossing it.

When contacted, tehsil municipal officer infrastructure Rashid Khan confirmed that the National Highway Authority had been approached for reconstruction and repair of Tarnava bridge, and its response was still awaited.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2020