BALAKOT, (APP): An eight feet wide rift in historical Ayub Bridge has disconnected Balakot from Kaghan, Naran, Babusar Top and other parts of the country.
As per details, a pillar of the bridge fell down in the river Kunhar, which created 8-feet wide rift that blocked all sorts of traffic from either side. Alternative Hassa Shawal bridge, which was used for small vehicles was also obstructed by the locals.
A large number of tourists were also trapped on both sides of Ayub Bridge.The dozens of Kaghan's villages have also been disconnected with Balakot and heavy machinery for Saki Kinari dam, which is also a part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) stuck while the administration is trying to find out alternative way to resolve the issue till reconstruction of the bridge.
While talking to media men, member Tehsil Councils Yasmeen Zaman said "we have repeatedly informed National Highways Authority (NHA) about the deterioration of the Ayub Bridge Balakot pillars but they did not take serious notice of our complaints and resulting the area people have lost the only bridge on river Kunhar".
Yasmeen Zaman also accused Tehsil Balakot Nazim for this incident and said that he was well aware of the issue but he did not take action.
Late night, the NHA has started work on the damaged bridge for repair.
The people demanded NHA to work on this project on war footing basis so that relief could be provided to them.