ISLAMABAD: National Assembly was informed on Thursday that Takht Bahi overhead bridge will be completed during 2016 to meet the needs of people from Mardan, Upper and Lower Dir, Shangla and Malakand.
In response to a Calling Attention Notice, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Aftab Sheikh told the House that delay had caused due to change in design of the bridge and consent from Pakistan Railways.
The minister said keeping in view the mounting traffic load on this 225 meter long bridge its design was changed from nine span bridge to 20 span bridge. "Its initial report and feasibility have been completed and we had been waiting consent from Pakistan railways as its construction also involves railway track."
He said its design has been changed and length increased keeping in view requirements of the people and traffic load that may take a bit more time for its completion.
The movers MNAs Sher Akbar Khan and Ali Muhammad Khan proposed to send the matter to Standing Committee on Communication.
The Minister offered that he was ready to take the Committee members to the site of bridge and arrange their meeting with the NHA officials. "There you can direct ask questions from NHA officials for redressal of their grievances."
Replying to an objection by MNA Ali Muhammad Khan regarding pollution in the area of construction, the minister said, little pollution has to be suffered when a development project is executed.
In this regard he also quoted construction of Metro Bus Service in Rawalpindi and Islamabad and said, when its construction had started people used to complain of pollution. "But, now they praise this project and the beauty added to the city with its completion."
"Metro is a project for the low income people of twin cities and millionaire members sitting here cannot understand its importance," he said responding to a critical smile of opposition members who had gestured so when the minister talked of Metro. "Our government keeps the interest of poor in mind whiles devising projects and Metro Bus is a historic project to benefit the poor."
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