ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Capital Development Authority (CDA) Affairs Ali Nawaz Awan on Friday laid the foundation stone for Bhara Kahu Kayani Bridge.

The bridge will be constructed by CDA to link Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) area to Kayani Road, which starts from Bhara Kahu Chowk.

The SAPM inaugurated the project in the presence of local people, who appreciated this initiative.

Speaking on the occasion, SAPM, who is also a local MNA, said that a number of development projects have been launched in the rural areas to bring them on par with urban areas.

He said with the construction of this bridge a long-standing demand of the people of the area will be fulfilled.

The MNA said that during his tenure he launched a number of projects for Bhara Kahu that include construction of playground, reservation of graveyard land and its up-gradation, rehabilitation of road, adding that the up-gradation of Bhara Kahu hospital is also underway.

Currently, there is a makeshift bridge built on the water pipeline (coming from Simly Dam for Islamabad city). This bridge is linking a large portion of Bhara Kahu with Islamabad via QAU and Bari Imam.

It was constructed by CDA some four decade ago.

Later, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) constructed roads at both sides of this bridge and locals frequently used it as a shortcut to reach Aabpara and Melody Market, via Bari Imam.

It is also being used as alternative road to reach Bhara Kahu chowk from QAU side.

But the condition of the bridge is highly dilapidated and it is considered as one of the highest bridge in Islamabad. It is built on stream coming from hills of Shahdhra picnic site.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2021