Construction of bridge over Indus to start soon

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, Barrister Masood Kausar has said, the formal launching of the long awaited project for construction of a new bridge over Indus River at Khushalgarh is now a matter of days and with its completion, a new era of socio-economic uplift of the people of Kohat Division in particular and of the province and the country will usher.

This project of vital importance will great positive impact in over all economic development of the country and would significantly contribute in generating jobs opportunities, since it is going to act a major supply route for oil and gas, being produced in Karak and Kohat districts to the rest of the country”, he added.

He was talking while inspecting the site of the new bridge on Saturday. The Governor was also accompanied by Provincial Minister for Housing, Malik Amjad Khan Afridi, Commissioner Kohat Division, Sahibzada Muhammad Anis and D.I.G Police Kohat Mr. Masood Khan Afridi while the General Manager of National Highway Authority, Mr. Fazal Nawab Khattak briefed the Governor about salient features of the project

The Governor noted with appreciation that half of the amount of the total cost of the entire project is already readily available with the NHA which expected to be completed at a total cost of Rs.1500 millions in two years time.

Barrister Masood Kausar further pointed out, “truly this is a project of vital importance in all respects and with its completion a long standing dream of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa especially of Kohat Davison and its surrounding tribal areas will be materialized. We, he remarked, have been anxiously waiting to have an easy and viable land route access to rest of the country and we are thankful to the President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Federal Minister for Communication Dr. Arbab Alamgir Khan as well as the provincial government particularly the Chief Minister Mr. Amir Haider Khan Hoti for their keen interest and making out of the way arrangements to ensure launching of the project”, the Governor said. Barrister Masood Kausar also took keen interest in the dualization of the roads on both ends of the bridge; right upto Kohat and the other side in Punjab as well and assured the NHA to help them in getting financial resources for the project.

Now, he remarked, the possibility to develop an oil refinery in the area has also been strengthened and the people of Kohat Division would also listen good news in this respect as well. The Governor also appreciated the spirit and cooperation of the Commissioner of Koah, Sahibzada Anis for his efforts in removing technical hurdles in the widening of the road on the western side of the bridge.

Meanwhile the Governor also inspected the site of the project which is situated adjacent to the existing time old Khushal Garh Bridge”.

In a condolence message, the Governor while expressing his heartfelt sympathies with Mr. Muhammad Rashad Khan and other members of the bereaved family has prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and courage to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss with patience and fortitude.