BANNU, Aug 4: A bridge over the Kurram river connecting Bannu city with Kohat is in a shambles and being without streetlights and safety grills it poses a serious threat to local people and commuters.

Residents of nearby villages complain that pedestrians using the bridge at night face difficulties as the sidewalks are broken and there are no safety grills or streetlights.

They said that the streetlights over the bridge worked only for a few days after its completion, but Wapda had claimed dues worth millions against the NHA on account of the Kurram bridge.

Officials said that Wapda had outstanding dues worth more than Rs1.5 million on account of the bridge. Wapda officials said the NHA was responsible for the payment of electricity charges incurred on the bridge.

They said that no bills had been paid since May 2002. According to the officials, Wapda had Rs78,697 arrears against the bridge before May 2002, which they claimed had raised to more than Rs 1.5 million.

CROPS DESTROYED: Standing crops were destroyed as the Kurram river inundated the low-lying areas after torrential rains lashed the Bannu district on Tuesday night.