Indo-Pak cross-border trade affected after bridge collapse in Kashmir

Calcutta News.Net
Saturday 31st July, 2010

Cross border trade between India and Pakistan is likely to be affected following the collapse of a bridge at Chakan Da- Bagh.

The bridge is the only trade link between the people of Poonch and Rawlakot.

"In the morning, certain officials came for inspection but no step has been taken till now. In the days to come the cross border trade will be badly hit. The trade centre will have to bear the brunt of colossal losses," said Mohhamad Qasim, a local.

Officials of the district administration claimed that they had inspected the area and a temporary bridge will be constructed soon.

"This bridge had been constructed by the GREF (General Reserve Engineering Force), so I had a talk with those people and they have said that a temporary bridge will be constructed by tomorrow," said Kuldeep Lal Khajuria, District Development Commissioner, Poonch.

Consequently, there is no possibility of any trade across the Line of Control (LoC) on Tuesday and also the bus service on Monday.

The bridge collapse has also led to loss of communication links along and across the LoC as phone cables have also been washed away.

There is no other alternate road for army vehicles to reach the LoC, which is 10 kilometres from this spot of collapsed bridge.

This bridge on Rangar Nallah connects Poonch with Pakistan Administered Kashmir. By N. S Sasan (ANI)

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