HARIPUR: Unchecked excavation for gravel and stone and heavy flow of water discharged from Khanpur Dam have exposed the foundations of the Tarnava Bridge pillars, posing threat to commuters’ life.

The bridge, constructed over River Harro, links Hazara division with rest of the country through the Khanpur-Taxila Road.

Hundreds of small and big vehicles coming in and out of Khanpur tehsil also use the bridge. Besides, a large number of tourists daily visit the Khanpur Dam’s picnic spot and the neighbouring world’s known Buddhist sites using the bridge.

Apart from heavy flooding in River Haro during this monsoon season, the Khanpur dam authorities opened the spillways of the reservoir six times, discharging 6,800 cusecs of surplus water each time, eroding the pillars’ foundations.

“We have informed the officials of National Highway Authority several times about the matter, but they have yet to swing into action,” Raja Tahir, a social activist, said.

He said in 2020 the foundations of two of the pillars were eroded, and the NHA managed to reinforce them after the matter was brought into its notice by local media. However, he said the repair work was not of high quality.

When contacted, Najeeb Khan, NHA’s assistant director, said he had received complaints about the foundations of the bridge’s pillars having been eroded.

He said the dam authorities had been asked to not release water for another six to seven days so the repair work could be completed.

He said the experts from the NHA had visited the Tarnava Bridge and found it safe for use as only a small portion of the foundation of a pillar was eroded. He brushed aside the impression that there was any threat to the main structure of the bridge.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2022