First arch bridge completed on alternative Karakoram Highway stretch
MANSEHRA: The Chinese company executing the Dasu hydropower project has completed the construction of the first arch bridge on the alternative 52km stretch of the Karakoram Highway (KKH).
“The completion of this arch-structured bridge, built over Dogah Nullah on the alternative section of KKH, is a major milestone, as the existing highway will eventually be submerged in the Dasu reservoir,” a statement issued by Wapda on Monday said.
“Several arch bridges and tunnels are being built along and on the alternative section of the KKH to ensure smooth traffic flow even during floods,” it said.
The 78-metre-long Dogah Concrete Arch Bridge is 11.3 metres wide and comprises a 10-metre carriageway along with shoulders. The newly completed bridge, the statement said, was developed in accordance with the design and standards approved under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiatives by Pakistan and China for such connectivity infrastructure along the highway, which serves as a major transportation and travel route.
According to the statement, the bridge is a key component of the relocated KKH, which is being constructed at a higher elevation to replace the existing highway that will be submerged in the Dasu project’s reservoir.
“The bridge will ensure safe and uninterrupted road connectivity in the area after the construction of the Dasu reservoir,” it added.
MINISTER TO CALL JIRGA: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf lawmaker from Kolai-Palas district Sardar Mohammad Riaz has announced that he will hold a jirga on Sept 14 to evolve a future line of action after his convoy allegedly came under attack last week.
“I was attacked on the boundary of Kolai-Palas and Allai, with the attackers having fired around 500 gunshots at my convoy, but the police have failed to arrest anybody,” he said while talking to reporters on Monday.
Flanked by elders from Kolai-Palas, Mr Riaz said that he had gone to attend a jirga on Saturday (Sept 5) when he was attacked.
“My people and I escaped unhurt. A police party led by a DSP reached the spot after an hour and fired shots into the air, but so far nobody has been arrested,” he said.
The lawmaker said elders from Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan and Kolai-Palas would attend the jirga in Pattan, adding that due to the prevailing tension over the disputed meadows between tribes from Kolai-Palas and Allai, children could not go to school and there was a shortage of food items.
He said those who had fired at him wanted to create a law and order problem by pitting people of different tribes from Kolai-Palas and Allai against each other.
The lawmaker said he was dragged into the land issue despite making efforts to defuse tensions.
“The tribes from both sides agreed to lay down their arms and not indulge in confrontation, but the firing on my convoy is an attempt to create a law and order issue,” Mr Riaz said.