SUKKUR: A section of the Kandhkot-Ghotki Bridge, which was to serve as one of the tracks of the 12-kilometre thoroughfare, collapsed on Thursday morning while it was being fixed.

The deck was being lifted with the help of cranes in order to fix it next to the other tracks of the bridge. However, during the process, it suddenly broke into three pieces and fell on the ground.

Work on the under-construction bridge has been resumed only a few months ago after it had remained stalled for several years, mainly due to a law and order situation in the two upper Sindh districts. Gangs of dacoits and other criminals, entrenched in the adjacent riverine areas have been attacking or kidnapping engineers, officials and labourers at their whim to extort ransom.

The Sindh government and security agencies engaged in massive anti-dacoit operations have succeeded in restoring peace in the region, enabling the contractors and engineering firms to move freely in the area and ensure resumption of the work.

The bridge over the Indus River is meant to connect two major districts — Kandhkot-Kashmore and Ghotki — providing a speedy and shorter travel to commuters and transportation of industrial and agricultural goods between the two districts.

The project was launched in 2018 with an estimated cost of Rs17 billion. On account of years-long delays in its completion and rising cost of inputs and labour during the period, the overall cost has risen to Rs70 billion.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2026