RAWALPINDI: Work on widening the Soan River Bridge finally commenced earlier this week.

The project is anticipated to be completed by the end of Dec 2023.

The Soan River Bridge was two lanes wide on each side, but after work, it will have four lanes on each side.

According to an official from the National Highway Authority (NHA), widening of the bridge had been suspended in April 2022 after the contractor was black-listed and now a fresh contract had been awarded to Frontier Works Organisation (FWO).

The widening of the bridge across Soan River was started in 2017 and was scheduled to be completed by January 2022. However, the bridge will now be completed by the end of 2023.

Due to left-over construction material scattered on the bridge and its adjoining area, hundreds of commuters entering the city have been facing problems.

Motorists, while proceeding towards Rawalpindi from Rawat, face difficulty as safety walls of the bridge have been demolished by the previous contractor and left abandoned.

More than 62,000 vehicles cross Soan Bridge every day, where widening of the bridge began about five years ago and is yet to be completed.

The former chief of army staff had taken strict notice of the delay in the construction of Soan Bridge project and the poor workmanship and directed the authorities concerned to complete it without wasting time.

“I have never seen such sheer negligence in public welfare/important projects while living abroad,” said an expatriate who recently came to Pakistan to spend vacations with his family.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

Counterterrorism plan
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Counterterrorism plan

Lacunae in our counterterrorism efforts need to be plugged quickly.
Bullish stock market
23 Nov, 2024

Bullish stock market

NORMALLY, stock markets rise gradually. In recent months, however, Pakistan’s stock market has soared to one ...
Political misstep
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Political misstep

To drag a critical ally like Saudi Arabia into unfounded conspiracies is detrimental to Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...