KARACHI, Sept 2: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad visited and reviewed the site of collapsed portion of Northern Bypass at Shershah on Sunday.

The governor was informed that the city government departments concerned were carrying out rescue operation at a stretch while experts including those of the NED University of Engineering and Technology were providing technical support in this regard. Sui Southern Gas Company and other agencies are also extending their cooperation by providing heavy machinery.

Dr Ibad said President Musharaf and Prime Minsiter Shaukat Aziz had taken serious notice of the incident and ordered a probe into the matter. He said the first priority of the rescuers was to take out the people trapped under the debris. These efforts did bear fruit as some precious lives were saved, he added.

The efforts were continued to remove the debris and clear the road, he said, adding that the chairman of the National Disaster Management had also arrived in the city.

He said that he had directed the officials concerned to conduct a survey of all the bridges in the metropolis to assess their quality and submit to him the final report within the next two weeks.

The inspection would not hinder the traffic flow on these bridges, he said, reiterating that he did not order survey on receiving any complaint.

The governor said those found responsible for the collapse of the bridge would be dealt with an iron hand.

Federal Minister for Communications Shamim Siddiqui, DCO Javed Hanif, CCPO Azhar Farooqui, Tameer-i-Karachi Programme Project Director Rauf Akhtar Farooqui and other officers were also present.—APP