KARACHI, Jan 31: The proposed construction of seven out of a total of 28 pedestrian bridges remains in the doldrums following the cancellation of an agreement between the city government and one of the four sponsoring entrepreneurs, sources told Online on Tuesday.

The Universal Graphics and Developers (UGD) was to provide financial assistance for the construction of seven pedestrian bridges at different locations in the city, as per an agreement between the former and the city government in January 2005 on built, operate and transfer (BOT) basis.

Now, three private entrepreneurs will sponsor the construction of 21 pedestrian bridges in the city.

According to sources, the city government will either construct the respective seven bridges itself or get it done by a new private entrepreneur invited through tenders. However, no definite decision has so far been made in this regard, sources added.

When contacted, a city government official said the city government had unilaterally revoked the agreement with the UGD due to slow construction pace of work.

It was also learnt that at the time of agreement, the city government had assured the private entrepreneurs that 20-feet billboards containing advertisements of the respective entrepreneurs would be allowed against the pedestrian bridges. However, the measurement of the billboards was later confined to 10 feet, which created a dispute between the city government and the private entrepreneurs.

Consequently, the dispute was resolved after the private entrepreneurs bowed to the city government’s condition.

Since January 2005, only one pedestrian bridge has been constructed in the city, which was in front of Urdu University on the University Road.

As per agreement, the private entrepreneurs have to construct the respective pedestrian bridges within two years from the date of agreement.

According to an official estimate, each bridge will cost from Rs6 to Rs8 million.—Online