SWABI, Dec 11: Local leaders of Awami National Party and Awami Jamhoori Ittehad Pakistan (AJIP) have been indulging in petty politics over construction of a bridge, causing delay in its construction, sources said.

The bridge on Chota Lahor-Yar Hussain Road had collapsed four months ago due to unknown reasons and people of the area, especially traders and farmers, have been demanding of the government to rebuild it immediately.

They said that three people had already been killed in accidents at the dilapidated site of the bridge, while the causeway constructed by the district administration was too dangerous.

The ANP leaders claimed that tender for construction of the bridge had already been issued and work would be started soon. However, the AJIP leaders sent bricks to start construction of the bridge.

Local police officers said that as the AJIP started construction of the bridge the ANP leaders approached the district administration to get the work stopped, claiming that the former was doing so to defame the ANP and get people’s support for upcoming general election.

Talking to this correspondent, an AJIP activist Ayaz Khan said that three of his party workers were also arrested, but later released. He claimed that they were forced by police to stop construction of the bridge.

Meanwhile, people of Gandaf alleged that substandard material was being used in construction of the road from Gadoon Estate to Utla in Swabi district. They said that the project with an estimated cost of Rs580 million was inaugurated by the chief minister in February last.

They warned that they would hold a protest demonstration on Saturday if the administration failed to check the use of substandard material.