GUJAR KHAN: The broken bridge at the railway track near Sohawa town is the only passage available to the residents of Mohallah Shaheedan, Dhoke Khabal, Dhoke Borhi, Arha Sasral, Bhaet Sher Ali, Nallah and Miani Dhoke.

This bridge was constructed during the British era when the railway track was laid down between Lahore and Peshawar.

Ali Raza, a mediaperson from the town, said the bridge had been a sole passage for the people of the area. He regretted that after some wooden planks were dismantled the authorities of Pakistan Railways did not bother to repair the bridge.

Aneel Raza, a social media activist, said the issue had repeatedly been highlighted but to no avail. He said thousands of people from the adjoining areas were virtually cut off from the town or they were forced to cross the railway track at the risk of their life.

Most of the bike riders are frequently seen pulling and pushing their bikes across the main track.

When contacted, Divisional Engineer Rawalpindi Syed Mohalam Afridi said the overhead bridge had already been repaired two times but over loaded motor rickshaws and mini-trolleys were damaging it.

He said overloaded traffic can cause accidents, adding there were no funds to construct a well-reinforced bridge. The official said the highway department can construct a permanent bridge.

The residents of the area have urged the minister for railways to take notice of the issue and resolve it.

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2019