Rs200 million approved for construction of Burma Bridge

Islamabad : After a long wait of six years, Finance Ministry has approved Rs200 million to start construction work of Burma Bridge on Khanna Road. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has finalised all necessary formalities to start construction work of dilapidated Burma Bridge.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) Member Planning Asad Kiani told ‘The News’ that they have completed all necessary formalities to start construction work of dangerous Burma Bridge. “We have allocated Rs200 million to construct Burma Bridge. We have also finalised its design because we will start construction work of Burma Bridge after completing demolishing it,” he said.

He also said that they will issue its tender in a day or two and start construction work after three weeks from issuing tender. He said that Burma Bridge is in poor condition and could collapse anytime. “We need Rs200 million in starting but it could increase cost,” he said. He said that Burma Bridge is 50 meter long and its width is 30 feet.

“On November 16, 2011 we sent PC-1 to Finance Ministry to release funds for starting construction of Burma Bridge. At that time, the fund was not released but now Finance Ministry has released funds to start construction work of the bridge, he said.

He said that Burma Bridge construction work was delayed due to matter of its jurisdiction whether it was in Capital Development Authority’s jurisdiction or Rawalpindi Development Authority. “It is in our jurisdiction so we will start its construction work soon,” CDA Member Planning Asad Kiani said.

On July 27, 2011, ‘The News’ drew the attention of the capital administration towards poor condition of Burma Bridge, which was established on Nullah Korang on Khanna Road way back in 1950. Again and again ‘The News’ raised the issue of construction of the important road in the city.

According to information, 27 serious accidents while 113 routine accidents have happened on Burma Bridge on Khanna Road during past six years. Three motorcars fell down from the bridge during road accidents.

These days Burma Bridge has been converted into a dumping site where residents of the nearby areas throw garbage. It was dangerous that upper and under portions of Burma Bridge are continuously broken. Not motorists but pedestrians use to walk Burma Bridge while nearby children play under Burma Bridge which could collapse anytime.

The busiest Khanna Road was important in business point of view that thousands of loading and passenger vehicles use it. The loading and passenger vehicles go to Lehtarar, Kotli Sattian, Ali Pur Farash, Murree and several other areas.