BY: Kashifuddin Syed
PESHAWAR: In a landmark move to enhance public safety and infrastructure resilience, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has become the first province in Pakistan to introduce a comprehensive bridge design code.
Approved by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, the code sets mandatory standards for bridge construction, repair, and design, aiming to prevent tragedies like the 2022 floods that saw 107 bridges collapse in the province.
Pakistan has long struggled with bridge safety, as evidenced by the collapse of 150 bridges during the 2010 floods and 107 bridges in the 2022 floods.
These incidents not only claimed lives but also caused significant economic losses. The absence of a standardized design code has been a critical gap in the country’s infrastructure policy.
The newly introduced code, developed by the Department of Communications and Works, aligns with international standards set by the American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
It addresses the province’s unique climatic and geological challenges, ensuring bridges can withstand natural disasters like floods and earthquakes.
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A core working group comprising government officials and industry experts drafted the code. To ensure compliance, the government plans to enact legislation giving the code legal status, making it mandatory for all future bridge projects in KP.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur emphasized the urgency of the code, stating, “Implementation of the bridge design code is the need of the hour. It will save lives and protect public resources.” He also announced plans to introduce a highway code in the near future
The introduction of the code marks a significant step toward modernizing Pakistan’s infrastructure. By prioritizing safety and resilience, KP sets a precedent for other provinces to follow, potentially reducing the frequency of bridge collapses nationwide.
With the new bridge design code, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa aims to turn the tide on decades of infrastructure neglect. As the province moves forward with this initiative, the hope is that safer bridges will not only save lives but also bolster economic development by ensuring reliable transportation networks.
