KHAIRPUR, July 3: A concrete beam of an under-construction bridge over Mirwah Canal near Altaf Colony broke into two after it fell into the canal when the chain of crane, which was placing it on pillars, snapped on Tuesday.

District Nazim Niaz Hussain Shah who rushed to the bridge after hearing of the incident suspected use of substandard material in the preparation of beams and ordered an inquiry. He appointed DCO as inquiry officer and directed him to submit a report within three days.

Mr Shah said that the contractor had not used steel bars and cement in sufficient quantity in the preparation of beams, which made them weak, and accused irrigation officials of inefficiency and negligence.

SDO irrigation who accompanied the nazim said that the irrigation department had paid Rs3.8 million to the contractor for the bridge.

Work on the bridge has been going on for more than seven months and it appeared it will take another half a year to complete.