GUJRAT: Old Rehmania flyover along GT Road has once again been opened to all kinds of traffic within 24 hours of its closure by the National Highways and Motorways Police (NHMP).

DSP Sajjad Gondal, NHMP’s Gujrat region Chief Patrol Officer, told Dawn traffic had been allowed to ply the bridge after a structure expert of the National Highways Authority inspected the bridge and guaranteed that its structure was strong enough for next six months despite having potholes in the upper slabs.

The flyover was closed by the NHMP on Wednesday in the light of directions by NHA officials who expressed apprehensions of its collapse since the bridge(which outlived its life 15 years ago) had already been repaired at 10 different spots.Sources in the maintenance directorate of the NHA (North Punjab) said Dr Muhammad Iqbal, a structure expert of the NHA having 40 years experience, reported that the bridge could be used until April 30, 2024.

The expert said that the advance design drawings of the new bridge at the site had been completed and hopefully the construction work be started within the next two months whereas the existing old structure would be demolished.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2023