RAWALPINDI, Sept 6: The 90year-old Tang Pul (narrow bridge) in the city has finally got the attention of higher authorities and demolished for reconstruction after a federal minister got stuck on it a week ago.
The reconstruction of the bridge built in 1917 during the British rule at New Chak Madad Khan connecting the city and cantonment areas (Saddar) had remained a longstanding demand of the residents.
Since the 80-yard-long narrow bridge can hardly handle oneway traffic and that too with extreme slow speed, motorists usually avoid it except rickshaw operators and pedestrians.
However, the entourage of Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed while going to Islamabad opted to cross the bridge as it is the shortest route connecting the city with I. J. Principal Road.
“We are happy that the minis ter himself felt the inconvenience due to the worst condition of the bridge and ordered its reconstruction. The long demand of the area people to widen the road had always fallen on deaf ears,” said Ajmal Shah, a shop owner near the bridge, while talking toDawn.
The residents said the bridge connected the people of Dhoke Hassu, New Chak Madad Khan, Habib Colony and some parts of Westridge with the city and cantonment areas, adding that the bridge had outlived its design life and was likely to collapse.
The works and services department would reconstruct the bridge at a cost of Rs11.46 million within ten months |thanks to the fast approaching election days which sometimes reminds politicians the anxieties their constituents face.
rawalpindi, sept 6: the 90- year-old tang pul (narrow bridge) in the city has finally got the attention of higher authorities and demolished for reconstruc- tion after a federal minister got stuck on it a week ago. the reconstruction of the bridge built in 1917 during the british rule at new chak madad khan connecting the city and cantonment areas (saddar) had remained a longstanding demand of the residents. since the 80-yard-long narrow bridge can hardly handle one- way traffic and that too with extreme slow speed, motorists usually avoid it except rickshaw operators and pedestrians. however, the entourage of railway minister sheikh rashid ahmed while going to islamabad opted to cross the bridge as it is the shortest route connecting the city with i. j. principal road. “we are happy that the minis- ter himself felt the inconven- ience due to the worst condition of the bridge and ordered its reconstruction. the long demand of the area people to widen the road had always fallen on deaf ears,” said ajmal shah, a shop owner near the bridge, while talking todawn. the residents said the bridge connected the people of dhoke hassu, new chak madad khan, habib colony and some parts of westridge with the city and cantonment areas, adding that the bridge had outlived its design life and was likely to col- lapse. the works and services depart- ment would reconstruct the bridge at a cost of rs11.46 mil- lion within ten months |thanks to the fast approaching election days which sometimes reminds politicians the anxieties their constituents face.
SOURCE : epaper.dawn.com