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       MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq on Sunday laid the foundation stone of the remaining construction work on the Rathoa-Haryam Bridge, a project initiated in 2011 as part of Mangla dam extension package for the residents of Mirpur.

       The foundation stone-laying ceremony was held in Islamgarh, where a contract worth Rs10 billion was handed over to Frontier Works Organisation (FWO).

       The bridge, named after two villages located on its opposite sides, was included in a three-party agreement between the federal and AJK governments and the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) to address the concerns of the population displaced by the dam’s expansion.

       According to officials and residents, the three-kilometre-long bridge will not only reduce travel time between Mirpur and many towns on the other side of the reservoir, including the headquarters of Kotli district but will also become a significant tourist attraction upon completion.

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       Rathoa-Haryam bridge was initiated in 2011 as part of a package for residents of Mirpur

       However, while the approach roads (four kilometres) were fully completed and around 80pc of the bridge’s construction had been finished, the project had been stalled due to the non-construction of the 160-metre-long central span.

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       Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Haq said completing the bridge was one of his top priorities since taking office.

       “The first briefing I received after assuming the office of prime minister was about this bridge, and I took its completion as my most important challenge,” he said.

       “I then engaged all stakeholders and systematically removed the legal, technical, administrative, and financial hurdles that were delaying this project. I convinced the federal government to prioritise it.

       “Thanks to my team’s tireless efforts, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) gave final approval to the project on September 3, 2024. Following this, our officials secured design approval from Nespak.”

       He said after clearance from the AJK government, he was pleased to announce that work on completing the longest bridge in Azad Kashmir was starting today.

       Mr Haq said the prolonged delay in the Rathoa-Haryam Bridge project had not only damaged the reputation of past governments but also created unease among overseas Kashmiris, many of whom hail from the affected areas.

       “The completion of a 160-metre span should not have been a difficult task for any government, but the lack of responsibility caused years of delay. We have now decided to complete this section using concrete, putting aside all other options,” he said.

       He said he was focused on action rather than making empty promises, with the ground-breaking of this long-delayed project serving as proof.

       “I have not confined myself to one constituency; I have worked for the entire state and have put an end to many bad practices, including making false promises and misleading the people,” he said.

       He expressed optimism that just as the FWO had delivered projects in Pakistan ahead of schedule this project would also be completed swiftly.

       “This bridge will be a game-changer for the entire region. It will not only enhance the global recognition of Mini-London (a term for Mirpur) but also provide modern, comfortable travel facilities for the overseas community. This will revolutionise the local economy, social life, and tourism.”

       Mr Haq also approved the construction of the Islamgarh Tehsil Headquarters Model School, a Rescue-1122 centre, and the Islamgarh Bypass Road. He said issues faced by sub-families displaced by the Mangla Dam extension would be resolved.

       Other speakers at the ceremony included Minister for Housing and Physical Planning Chaudhry Yasir Sultan, Director General Mangla Dam Housing Authority Chaudhry Mohammad Mansha Naqshbandi and Project Director for the Rathua-Haryam Bridge Habib Mughal.

       Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2024