CHITRAL
The 225 feet-long suspension bridge, connecting Sweer, Jinjiratkoh, Ursoon with Drosh was inaugurated here the other day.
The bridge has been constructed by the Sarhad Rural Support Program (SRSP) at a cost of Rs10.8 million with financial support from Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF).
The inaugural ceremony was at Sweer village, some 60-km away from here under the chair of Deputy Commissioner Ameenul Haq.
Addressing to the ceremony prominent social worker Master Muhammad Ali Khan said that in past thousands of people were compelled to travel for more than an hour to reach their destination, adding that now with the completion of Sweer bridge, people would be able reach Drosh town in a mere 10 minutes time.
SRSP District Program Manager Tariq Ahmad said that the bridge was completed with Rs10.8 million including Rs2.1 million (20%) share of local community which definitely would bring a positive change in the lives of thousands of people of the area.
Addressing the ceremony, SRSP Chief Executive Officer Shahzada Masoodul Mulk emphasised on the people to determine rules for crossing the bridge to protect it from damage. He warned that heavy traffic would damage the bridge and therefore should be avoided to ply the bridge.
He informed that the SRSP had been working on different development schemes from South Waziristan to Chitral and Malakand division.
In his speech, the deputy commissioner expressed gratitude to the SRSP executing development Chitral shoulder by shoulder with state agencies. He pointed out that a huge quantity of timber could be seen lying in front of the bridge which might damage it if shifted over this bridge. It is the bounden duty of local people to determine SOPs for using the bridge after consultation.