GILGIT, Aug 11: A bridge on Gilgit River linking China with the Gilgit-Baltistan region and rest of the country is about to collapse as one of its pillars has been damaged extensively.

Cracks in the bridge, the largest on Karakoram Highway after Raikot bridge, constructed by Chinese engineers in 1976, appeared on Sunday, suspending all sorts of traffic on the highway.

Supply of goods was also suspended as hundreds of trucks were seen on either side, as the two more suspension bridges constructed on the river near Chinar Bagh are not capable of bearing weight of more than 10 tons, officials told this correspondent.

Sources said Chinese experts visited the site on Monday and examined the structure so that work could be started for its immediate restoration.

Meanwhile, security around the bridge has been increased.

The bridge links Hunza-Nagar district with Gilgit capital city and rest of the country, and is also used by the travellers and traders to and from China.

The local administration has made alternative arrangements on emergency basis to ensure smooth flow of traffic on the KKH. Light traffic has been diverted to River View Road to cross Chinar Bagh bridges via Nomal to rejoin the KKH near Rahimabad.

Closure of the bridge has also increased pressure on the wooden bridge connecting Danoyre with Konodas Gilgit near the Karakoram International University campus.