Villagers stranded after bridge collapses in Upper Dir

DIR: Thousands of Barkand villagers have been cut off from other parts of Upper Dir district as a suspension bridge broke down almost one year after its construction.

Locals said the bridge could not sustain the burden of snow. Hundreds of inhabitants from several villages would use the bridge on a daily basis, and they alleged that substandard material had been used in the construction of bridge.

They said the residents had been stranded in their villages and the only way they had to communicate with other areas is to wade through a stream.

They said that women, children and particularly patients and elderly people could not go through the cold water of the stream, which can only be crossed in cases of extreme necessities, otherwise, the locals stay home. The residents demanded the deputy commissioner, elected representatives and provincial government to reconstruct the bridge to mitigate their miseries, otherwise, they would be left with no other option but to launch a protest drive.