Khushal Garh Bridge inaugurated at Indus River

Hungarian state minister attends opening ceremony

KOHAT: Authorities on Wednesday inaugurated Khushal Garh Bridge that was completed through joint efforts of the Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), National Highway Authority and the government of Hungary.

Hungarian State Minister for Economic Diplomacy H.E. Levente Magyar, along with representatives of NHA and OGDCL, inaugurated the bridge that has been completed with assistance of MOL Pakistan Oil & Gas Company.

A delegation of MOL Group headed by Dr Berislav Gaso along with other officials also attended the inaugural event. The minister formally unveiled the plaque, followed by a collective prayer.

The new two-way bridge connects KP with Punjab over the Indus River near Khushal Garh town. It is 373-metre long bridge, can carry loads over 200 metric tonnes and can serve all kinds of heavy and light traffic.

Around 5,000 vehicles are expected to use this bridge daily. This replaces the old Khushal Garh bridge that was more than 100 years old, overlived its normal life and had been actually designed for a limited road traffic flows.

Its typical design with 90-degree approaches was a major limiting factor with respect to the allowable size and number of bowsers which could pass through it.

On the occasion, HE Levente Magyar said: “I am impressed with the bridge and multifaceted purposes it serves. MOL has done a commendable job in coming forward to assist this project.”

Dr Berislav Gaso said MOL is proud of its contributions for this bridge that facilitates people-to-people contact and helps in an uninterrupted flow of logistics.

“I hope this bridge will play a decisive role in boosting economic prosperity of the area. The MOL would continue to support activities for the good of the people, especially in areas where MOL operates,” he added.

Accompanying Dr Berislav, Jozsef Simola of MOL Group said: “It was a project worth financing as it brings numerous advantages to the people of Pakistan.”

MOL group’s Regional Advisor for Middle East, Africa & Pakistan Ali Murtaza Abbas said: “It seems like a dream come true. When initially we thought of the project, it apparently looked difficult but then keeping the broader vision of MOL Group to strive and play its part for the betterment of communities, we decided to go ahead with this objective whatever it may take”.

MOL Pakistan’s Managing Director and CEO Akos Grosz said that his organisation has been doing such projects in Pakistan since 1999 when they started operations here.