RAHIM YAR KHAN: The Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Bridge on the river Indus at Chachran Sharif, some 75kms from here, may be damaged due to erosion of a portion of the guide wall of Minchan Bund (spur).

As per local sources, the erosion started on Friday morning and has created a 50-foot wide breach in the spur.

Threatened by the development, many of the residents of nearby villages have started moving to safer places.

According to the irrigation department officials, the Indus water flow on Friday was 150,000 cusecs.

The spur was constructed by the National Highway Authority (NHA) to narrow the riverbed.

NHA says contractor mobilised for repair works

RYK Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shakeel Ahmed Bhatti and Khanpur Assistant Commissioner (AC) Shabbir Dogar, along with irrigation officials, visited the site of erosion on Friday.

The AC briefed the DC that there was no immediate flood threat to the nearby localities and crops because of the erosion.

The DC, however, ordered immediate measures for the repair of the guide wall of the Minchan spur and ordered precautionary measures for the safety of the local residents.

Meanwhile, the district administration has also started preparations for the relief and rescue measures for the local population in case of any emergency.

According to some locals, the erosion has exposed the substandard construction work of the guide wall of the spur, demanding accountability of the contractor and officials responsible for it.

NHA Spokesperson Umair Sadozai told Dawn that there was not only erosion in the guide wall of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Bridge, but the river water has also made a passage through a crevice in the structure.

He said that NHA maintenance director, general manager and Member project had visited the site on Saturday and prepared a plan for the guide walls’ rehabilitation.

He said the contractor has already been mobilised and asked to ensure timely rehabilitation to avert any emergency.

The DC has also been apprised of the efforts being made by the NHA team, Mr Sadozai added.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2023