After mounting public pressure, government on Tuesday afternoon opened the newly installed Bailey bridge at Mehjoor Nagar for vehicular movement.
The Mehjoor Nagar bridge was closed on February 7 for vehicular movement after one of its supporting pillars had collapsed. The closure of the bridge had triggered protests for several days by people living in adjoining areas forcing the authorities to provide alternative to the closed bridge.
Sources said that the Bailey bridge was thrown open for public after its completion on the directions from R&B Minister Naeem Akhtar.
“There were directions from the Minister to open the bridge and not to wait for further orders or any inaugural event. The Minister had asked authorities that general public must be allowed to take benefit of this bridge,” sources said.
Closure of Mehjoor Nagar bridge had severely affected vehicular movement on Rambagh-Jawahar Nagar route and its adjoining areas due to massive traffic jams. The bridge connects Syed Abad Soiteng, Lasjan, Padshahibagh, Gandbal, Vethpora, Bagander and its adjacent areas with the city-centre.
“The Bailey bridge was installed in a shortest possible time. The work on its installation began on February 13 and today it was thrown open for public. The bridge was constructed at a cost of Rs 45 to 50 lakhs,” said R&B Chief Engineer, Abdul Hamid.
He confirmed that the government had directed authorities to throw the bridge open for public immediately on its completion.
Meanwhile, residents of areas which were badly affected due to closure of old Mehjoor Nagar bridge expressed satisfaction over the installation of Bailey bridge. “The opening of Bailey bridge had come as a relief for us,” they said.
Newly installed Bailey bridge at Mehjoor Nagar thrown open
