LAHORE, May 9: In a major development, Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) on Monday completed Dhan Gali Bridge at a cost of Rs1 billion across the Jhelum in upper reaches of Mangla Reservoir.

After completion of the approach roads, the bridge is likely to be opened for traffic by the end of June 2011. Dhan Gali Bridge is a part of compensation and resettlement package of Mangla Dam Raising Project.

Wapda started its construction in November 2008 with state-of-the-art technology and completed the bridge in a short span of two and a half years. It is a pre-stressed post-tensioned balanced cantilever box girder bridge with a total length of 1,116 feet. The bridge is to accommodate two lanes with its roadway width of 28 feet.

While briefing about Dhan Gali Bridge, Mangla Dam Raising Project General Manager Rashid Ali Bangash said the construction of the bridge would open a new era of accelerated development for the entire region, as the bridge would provide an all-weather and all-traffic facility. “Not only the distance between Dudial and Islamabad will be reduced by 125 kilometers but a minimum of two to three hours travel time will be saved.”

It is pertinent to mention that Wapda is spending Rs12 billion on resettlement works for affectees of Mangla Dam Raising Project. These include construction of New Mirpur City and four satellite towns near Islamgarh, Chaksawari, Dudial and Siakh having all civic amenities, Mirpur by-pass, New Bong Canal Bridge and Dhan Gali Bridge.

In addition, Wapda had already completed the payment of total compensation amounting to Rs52 billion for affectees of the raising project, apart from any genuine cases left.