LOWER DIR: In a worrying development for residents of Adenzai, a remote locality in the Adenzai tehsil of Lower Dir, the only connecting bridge to the area has partially collapsed, and could cause losses to lives beside severing the community’s access to essential services and neighbouring towns and coul.
Locals are now warning that the remaining portion of the bridge could give way at any moment, posing a serious risk to the lives of the citizens. The bridge has long served as the primary and only link for thousands of residents in the area, used daily by schoolchildren, elderly citizens, workers, and emergency services. The collapse has not only disrupted transportation but has also deepened the isolation of the already underserved community.
Constructed several years ago as part of a small-scale local development initiative, the bridge was originally meant to provide a safe and reliable passage over a seasonal stream that often becomes impassable during rains. However, due to a lack of maintenance, poor-quality construction materials, and the absence of timely repairs, the structure had weakened considerably over the past few years.
Residents say they have repeatedly alerted district officials and elected representatives about the deteriorating condition of the bridge. Despite their appeals and warnings, authorities failed to act, even as visible cracks, rusting supports, and weakened planks signalled an impending collapse.
“We’ve raised our voices again and again. Everyone knows how critical this bridge is, but no one has taken action to fix it,” said a resident, expressing the frustration felt throughout the community.
With no alternative route available, the damaged bridge had continued to be used by residents out of sheer necessity—until now. The complete collapse of a portion of the bridge has left the area effectively cut off, putting lives at risk and impacting access to education, healthcare, and markets.
Residents are now urging the provincial government and local administration to treat the situation as an emergency. They demand immediate construction of a new, durable bridge and the establishment of a temporary crossing solution in the meantime.They also blamed the former Assistant Commissioner for the damage to the bridge as he handed over the land below the bridge on lease, which a deep plunge that caused severe damage to the bridge.
The incident highlights a broader pattern of infrastructure neglect in rural parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where critical projects often remain overlooked until a crisis occurs. Locals say the collapse is not just the failure of a structure, but a symbol of how governance has failed their community.
As the monsoon season approaches, fears of further complications grow, with even rescue and relief operations potentially hindered due to the lack of road access. Unless swift action is taken, the people of Adenzai may be left stranded in more ways than one.
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