SAHIWAL: Commuters are facing a great deal inconvenience at the old railway crossing at Pul Bazaar due to closure of the Jogi Chowk overhead bridge for the past 16 days.

Reports indicate that three weeks ago, gaps widened in the piles of the overhead bridge, prompting the Sahiwal circle highway department to close it to all transportation. For the past four to five days, there has been no contractor activity at the site, causing major inconvenience for commuters, as this is one of the two old bridges connecting Sahiwal City’s 200,000 residents living on either side of the Lower Bari Doab Canal and the Lahore-Multan main Railway Line. Many shop owners in Pul Bazaar have expressed their frustration.

Tufail Muhammad, a local shop owner, stated, “This railway crossing is very old and small, built 120 years ago. With each Karachi and Lahore-bound express and goods train passing through, the crossing is closed for 20 to 25 minutes more than two dozen times a day.” He added that congestion and long queues are driving away customers.

Jamil, the owner of a Toka Shop, mentioned that their daily sales have decreased by 300 per cent due to the closure of the crossing and traffic congestion whereas only one traffic policeman was found managing vehicular movement on one side of the railway crossing.

Muhammad Ramzan, XEN, Highway Circle, was contacted multiple times but he did not respond.

Locals said the bridge construction contract was awarded to Sarwar Construction Company, but their workers were rarely seen at the site. The public has urged the commissioner and SE Highway to expedite the construction work.

Jamil, a rickshaw driver, noted that the closure of Jogi Chowk bridge has caused constant traffic jams at second overhead bridge located near Jinnah Library.

Prof. Yahya, a resident, said the closure has greatly inconvenienced the local population especially students and women, forcing them to travel an extra four to five miles to cross the Lower Bari Doab Canal and the main Railway Line.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2025