MANSEHRA: Commissioner Hazara Shahidullah Khan on Friday said the reinforced cement concrete (RCC) bridge being built over the Indus River at a cost of over Rs10 billion would bring revolutionary economic changes to the lives of tribesmen in Torghar district.
“The Kunhar Bridge, which would significantly reduce travelling distance between Torghar and Peshawar via Buner, would also promote tourism, trade and employment opportunities for the indigenous community,” he told a meeting after reviewing construction of the RCC bridge over the Indus River near Judbah, the district headquarters of Torghar.
Flanked by deputy commissioner Dr Yasir Imran, the commissioner reviewed the under-construction bridge from a ferry and directed engineers and contractors to expedite the work so that the people of Torghar, which was given the status of a settled district through a presidential order in 2011, could enjoy its benefits and their longstanding deprivations could come to an end.
“This project is a game changer for the people of Torghar. I will review its progress weekly and the contractor should ensure that work continues round the clock,” the commissioner said.
Officials of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Highway Authority also briefed the commissioner on the progress of the project, saying that construction work was progressing at full pace.
“The provincial government has released funds for the early completion of this project and its execution should be completed swiftly to benefit the people of the district,” Mr Khan said.
He said Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi was taking personal interest in the project and that he and local MPA Laiq Mohammad Khan were in constant contact with him regarding this mega communication project and other development schemes in Torghar and the rest of Hazara Division.
Meanwhile, Torghar’s administration on Friday launched an initiative to preserve surface and underground water resources amid growing water scarcity in various parts of the district.
“Fountains and springs are drying up or losing their flow to a minimal level, while the underground water table is rapidly declining in our district. We have to preserve both surface and underground water resources,” the deputy commissioner told a meeting held in his office.
Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2026