Indo-Pak cross-border trade bridge reconstructed in Kashmir

Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir), Aug 2 (ANI): The Chakan Da Bagh Bridge at the Line of Control (LoC) has been reconstructed as a steel bridge with a height of 50 feet in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch District.ncessant heavy rainfall in the district caused a collapse of the bridge's crossing point on Friday.

Kuldeep Lal Khajuria, District Development Commissioner (DDC) of Poonch, said that reconstruction of the bridge was very necessary, as it is the only trade link between Poonch and Rawlakot, for cross-border trade with Pakistan-Administered Kashmir.

Also due to collapse of the bridge, daily movement of security forces in the region was highly affected.

"It was our concern that this road should be constructed as it is a very important link. It is a link between the two countries. It is also important from the viewpoint of army and security of borders. Internationally, it is an important link. The GREF (General Reserve Engineering Force) people have taken the matter seriously and completed the work in time," said Khajuria.

Locals in the region are happy as the GREF (General Reserve Engineering Force) and the Border Road Organisation (BRO) constructed the bridge within 24 hours.

"For past two days, all the 50 houses of the Fakir village were absolutely cut off and we were very upset about it. We are very thankful to the administration and especially to the Border Road Organisation (BRO) has taken up the work and completed the construction work within 12 hours," said Mohd Fazal local resident.

GREF and BRO started the work on Saturday and completed it by Sunday morning.

Bus services for cross border trade would be reopened from Monday morning. By N. S Sasan (ANI)