Chakki river bridge washed away in Punjab due to rains in HP

Pathankot, June 11 (UNI) The temporary bridge over the Chakki river was today washed away due to heavy rains at the source and along the course of the river in Himachal Pradesh.

This led to disruption of traffic from the border districts of Punjab and adjoining Jammu and Kashmir to Kangra and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh. A large number of vehciles which were stranded on the road were later diverted via Lodhva-Kandwal to Himachal.

The temporary bridge was constructed last year by the government of Himachal Pradesh after the 118 year old bridge over the Chakki was washed away in flash floods in the river in August last year.

The Himachal government had spent about Rs 56 lakh on construction of the temporary bridge, part of which is in Punjab territory.

The permanent bridge is likely to cost Rs 30 crore and it is to be constructed by Himachal Pradesh.

The bridge over the Chakki was constructed in 1890 at a cost of Rs 1.14 crore to provide a direct link from Lahore to the hill stations of Kullu and Manali for British officers serving in the then undivided Punjab and the North West Frontier Province, now in Pakistan. The bridge also provides direct access for J&K residents to Himachal Pradesh.

UNI XC-HS VN1918