UAE-funded bridge opens in Pakistan

In implementation of directives by the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to help Pakistan through humanitarian and development projects, the Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Bridge on Swat river was inaugurated on Friday by UAE’s Ambassador to Pakistan Essa Abdullah Al Basha Al Nuaimi.

The ceremony was held in the presence of Pakistan’s Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Director of UAE Project to Assist Pakistan (PAP) Abdullah Khalifa Al Ghafli, tribal dignitaries, senior UAE and Pakistani government officials and Pakistani senior officers.

The Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Bridge across the Swat river was built at a cost of $10.5 million to connect 15 towns and 45 villages of Swat Valley. — Wam

The state-of-the-art bridge was built by the UAE at a cost of $10.5 million to connect 15 towns and 45 villages of Swat Valley.

The UAE-funded bridge is 448-metres long, 10.7-metres wide and 10-metres high. The structure will serve around 500,000 people in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province north-west of Pakistan which was severely affected by flooding in August last year. The new bridge will serve 4,000 cars per day on two reserved lanes as well as pedestrians on two others.

“No doubt the UAE and Islamic Republic of Pakistan maintain special relations based on the spirit of fraternity, solidarity, mutual respect and shared vision between the two brotherly leaderships and people. The inauguration of this vital bridge is a fruition of a longstanding history of close ties, cooperation and solidarity between leaders and people of the UAE and their brothers in Pakistan,” Ambassador Essa Abdullah Al Basha Al Nuaimi said in a speech at the inauguration ceremony.

The vital bridge was named after Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in tribute and memory of the late UAE founding father and leader for his generous developmental and humanitarian assistance over the years to the people of Pakistan, he noted.

The collapse of the bridge on the Swat river due to massive floods had isolated villagers living on both banks of the river and the reconstruction of the bridge, the largest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, brings life to those population as it provides them with easy access to the main road network.

The bridge was built in accordance with the best international technical and engineering specifications, standards and practices. Contractors have adopted the world-class safety systems against extreme floods and earthquake hazards by building a 1300-metre long breakwater.

Special formula of reinforced concrete was used in the construction of the bridge to resist effects of erosion, decaying and humidity.

A novel solar energy system was also installed to lighten up the $10.5 million bridge.

Entrance of the bridge was adorned with a model of the Al Jahli Fort, the UAE’s historic landmark and childhood place and cradle of leadership of the late Shaikh Zayed.