Islamabad, Brig. (Retd.) Muzaffar Ali Ranjha, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission (PMIC), has taken serious note of delays in the completion of the Rathoua Haryam Bridge across the reservoir channel on the Mirpur-Islamgarh road. This concern echoes the Prime Minister of Pakistan’s dissatisfaction with the progress of Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) Projects.

According to Press Information Department, a meeting chaired by Brig. (Retd.) Ranjha was held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad. The meeting was attended by PMIC officers, representatives from the Ministry of Finance, and other stakeholders, including the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, Chief Engineer PWD Highways (South), and the Project Director of the Government of AJ and K, NESPAK, and FWO.

The stakeholders briefed the PMIC Chairman on the latest project progress. The Project Director highlighted issues related to the bridge’s design, revision of PC-I, and fund allocation. It was decided that FWO would immediately share the bridge design with NESPAK for vetting, and NESPAK would submit their expert opinion to FWO before January 25, 2024. The revision of PC-I will then be processed at the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives.

The completion of the Rathoua Haryam Bridge is anticipated to significantly benefit the local population of AJ and K, reducing the travel distance between Mirpur and Islamgarh, Chaksawari, Dudyal, Kotli, and Charhoi by 21 km and travel time by 25 minutes. Brig. (Retd.) Ranjha stressed the importance of completing the project promptly and in accordance with its intended purpose. A progress report on the project will be submitted to the Prime Minister of Pakistan.