ISLAMABAD, Oct 10: The only bridge connecting the Yarkhun valley with other parts of Chitral near Brep village is being slowly washed away because the authorities have not taken notice of its gradual deterioration.

People of over 100 villages in the Yarkhun and Mastuj union councils are cut off for almost two months.

The residents said the departments concerned of the district government and the elected representatives of the area were responsible for the destruction of the bridge as they failed to take timely action to divert the water that submerged the bridge on Yarkhun valley side.

A protection wall against the gushing river water was built when the bridge had been damaged. They said timely steps could have saved thousands of people from being cut-off with the outside world.

They alleged use of substandard material in the protection wall was responsible for this as the wall was washed away within a week of its handing over to the relevant department and final receipt of payment by the contractor.

The people demanded probe into the delay in execution of the project and use of substandard material in the construction of the protection wall. They said supply of essential daily-use items to the area had been disrupted. The area was also hit by gastroenteritis and other diseases and people especially children, women and the elderly were facing hardships to reach hospitals in the Chitral town.

When contacted, District Nazim Maghfirat Shah said temporary arrangements were being made to connect the valley but equipment could not reach the area on time due to damage to another bridge near Mastuj.

He said Rs 12 million would be needed to construct the bridge and the district government had asked the communication and works department as well as the federal government to provide funds and expertise for the project. However, he said, the project would take time and the area needed communication linkage on a priority basis, therefore, efforts would also be made to reconstruct the old bridge on emergency basis.