MIRPUR (AJK), Jul 29 (APP): Life-threatening cracks have developed in a big portion of Mirpur-Kotli highway close to Mangla dam’s reservoir, causing frightening of the local population including travelers of an untoward incident following the continual erosion feared to be expanded following ongoing monsoon rains.
Commissioner Mirpur, Ch. Shoukat has directed the diversion of heavy traffic moving to and from Mirpur for Kotli and others major towns through the alternative Band Road route passing along the Mangla-dam reservoir.
The district administrations has also advised all the concerned stake-holder departments including AJK highways, police and other rescuer agencies to remain alert and vigilant to deal with any eventuality in case of continuation of the breach.
The State Highway Department, has meanwhile been advised to execute repairing of the highway overcoming the enlargement of the sinking and erosion of the busiest highway.
After visiting the affected portion of the highway at the site of Dhairi Choudhriyan township, along with the senior officials of the administration and the concerned departments to make immediate inspection of the site, Commissioner Chaudhry Shoukat told APP here on Monday that the breach followed by harmful cracks and erosian of the highways ‘bed were found developed at Dhairi Chaudhriyan site.
A lane of the duel-carriage highway was immediately closed for all kind of traffic,he added .
However, the light traffic had been allowed to continue with extremely low speed at the affected site, the commissioner said, adding that the Highway Department had been directed to start repairing the affected portion of the road with the construction of instant speed breakers at both sides of the affected portion of the highway.
The commissioner was flanked by senior district administration officials including AC Zahid Hussain, Tehsildar Imran Yousaf Chaudhry Div. Director PID AJK,Javeid Malik, police officers and officials of the highway department during the visit .
Police and rescue departments teams have been posted at the affected site of the highway to make the people alert to stay away of the affected site especially which passing through the damaged road.
The commissioner has sought immediate detailed geographical survey of the affected site of the highway to avert any major impending threat to the men and material in case of continuation of the reported erosion and resultant cracks in the highway.
It may be noted that Mirpur division perhaps, has been the only part of AJK which received heavy monsoon rainfall of the season . The area is still in the grip of torrential rains that played havoc in different parts of the region.