Bridge over Indus River in Torghar in dilapidated condition

MANSEHRA: The suspension bridge over the Indus River in Sarbago Hassanzai, Torghar district poses a serious risk and could lead to a fatal accident if not replaced with a concrete structure.

“This bridge connects several villages to Judbah and the rest of the district. It is in a highly dilapidated condition and could cause a fatal accident at any time,” Gul Mohammad Khan, chairman of the Bimbal village council, said.

The suspension bridge in Sarbago Hassanzai, inaugurated by then MPA Zareen Gul Khan in 2018, is in poor condition but even then locals and students continue to use it to cross the Indus River risking their lives.

“The steel planks and supporting iron cables have broken, making the suspension bridge dangerous to cross,” Muhammad Khan said.He said that the bridge was the only pedestrian route across the Indus River for the scattered population of Kundar Hassanzai, Bimbal Hassanzai, Balyani Akazai, and Sarbago Hassanzai.

“We have raised this issue with the Tehsil Municipal Administration and other departments, requesting temporary repairs and the construction of a concrete bridge, but no action has been taken,” Khan said.

He went on to say that when the riversides of the Indus dried up, the suspension bridge was the only connection source between the villages and the rest of the district, as ferry services were halted.

“We face great difficulty transporting our patients, especially women, to intra-district health facilities and to the rest of the Hazara division,” he said.Another local, Rubnawaz, warned that the community would protest if the government did not build a concrete bridge.“We have no alternative to cross the Indus River, and if a fatal incident occurs, the relevant departments will be held responsible,” he said.