TAXILA: Traffic between Punjab and Hazara division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained suspended as the under-construction bridge on Taxila-Hattar Road near Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC) was swept away by flash floods caused by torrential rain.

The bridge, which is being reconstructed, was the only source of transportation between the inter-provincial Taxila-Hattar Road but recent flash floods damaged it causing problems for commuters. The employees of Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC), Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), Hattar Industrial Estate besides students of University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila and Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (Tevta) and inhabitants of three major rural union councils comprising around 22 villages have been most affected by the current situation.

Travelling for their normal routines has come to a halt as there is no way of reaching Taxila from Thatta. Commuters have to now travel an extra 20 kilometres through the alternative Taxila-Khanpur Road where due to trucks, dumpers and trailers, there is extreme traffic congestion.

Raja Babar, a social worker has said that residents of dozens of villages including Sakhoo, Massain, Kolian, Salargah, Usman Khattar, Kamra and others whose health, education, employment and trade completely depends upon tehsil headquarters have been cut off. He said scores of employees of various government defence industrial institutions especially Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), HIT, PMO, NDC and AWC besides students of various institutions suffer as they travel an extra 10kms to reach their respective destinations.

“The eroded bridge was the only mode of connectivity of dwellers of rural areas of three major union councils including employees and students,” said Ibrar Dildar Khan, a local politician.

PML-N leader Syed Imran Haider Naqvi claimed that the project for construction of the bridge and re-carpeting of the road was awarded to a company which was not technically sound to execute the project. This, he said, has resulted in ill planning and the suffering of so many people.

He said the administration seems to not be the least bit bothered about sufferings of people as no government official has visited the area so far.

When contacted, a spokesman for the Punjab Highway Roads Department said the contract of construction of the bridge was already awarded to a firm in the previous fiscal year. He said due to lack of funds, work on execution of the project was slowed down however in the new fiscal year, funds will be released so work can be accelerated.

Locals have expressed concern over this situation and they have urged the Punjab chief minister, commissioner and deputy commissioner to look into the matter in the larger public interest without any further delay.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2022