Gilgit - Baltistan

‘Work on Silpi RCC bridge stopped due to release of less funds’, alleges company executive in a letter

Meraj Alam

Gilgit: Managing director of a construction company (BLTB) hired to build an RCC bridge over the Ghizar river in Silpi has said that work on the project has been stopped due to issues related to release of funds.

In a letter addressed to the PWD Secretary, (available with Pamir Times), the company’s MD, Eng Sabir Hussain has said that work on the 220 meters long RCC Bridge has been halted, accusing the Executive Engineer of not releasing adequate funds, and deliberately delaying the construction process.

The MD, in his letter has accused the Executive Engineer of ‘using delaying tactics for his personal benefits and for derailing the mega project through low demand of financial release from the head quarters of the Public Works Department, despite of knowing the actual progress of the project thus far. He has maintained that the truth can be established by constituting an investigation committee.

The 220 meter long RCC Bridge, on completion, will connect Gahkuch, the district headquarters of Ghizar with Ishkoman Tehsil.

The MD of the construction company has appealed that ‘in the interest of the government and local communities’, directive should be issued for release of Rs 100 million up to June 2016 on priority basiss. He has said that in order to complete the project by December 2016, such measures need to be taken as a matter of priority.

Akhtar Hussain Rizvi, Secretary Work, while taking to The Pamir Times said that a committee will be formed to investigate the allegations and establish the facts. He said that the construction of the bridge is progressing smoothly, and that the issues will be resolved soon.

Sharing his views in this regard, Zafar Muhamad Shah Dam Khail, the candidate bagging the second highest votes from Ishkoman during the last election, said that more than 2,000 families will suffer due to delays in completion of the project. He accused the Executive Engineer of being ‘against the development of Ghizar’, for allegedly causing delays in completion of the Silpi bridge construction project.

The RCC bridge, apart from being a major infrastructure project in the region, can also be used in the future to link the Ghizar district with Central Asia, he added.

Related Articles

One Comment

Back to top button