Dilapidated bridge leaves Chitral villagers risking their lives daily

CHITRAL: Residents of Sonoghur and Parwak villages in Upper Chitral are continuing to cross a damaged wooden suspension bridge every day, exposing themselves to danger while trying to reach basic services, according to local residents and district authorities.

The bridge was badly affected by flash floods in June 2007 and has remained in poor condition since then. Despite the long passage of time, villagers still rely on the structure for daily movement, with hundreds of people, including women and children, using it to travel between the two areas.

Village elders Sajjad Sirang and Isa Ali told local media that people in Parwak depend heavily on Sonoghur for access to a high school, a hospital and the food department’s grain godown. They said residents of Sonoghur, in turn, have to cross into Parwak in order to reach the Shandur Road for onward travel.

The elders said the bridge has become a major obstacle for the area. "Sonoghur is one of the most picturesque villages in Chitral and holds immense tourism potential, but this bridge is the primary obstacle," they said.

According to the elders, local residents built a temporary bridge on a self-help basis soon after the 2007 floods. However, they said widespread poverty in the area has left the community without the financial means needed either to maintain the existing structure properly or to replace it with a permanent one.

They warned that the bridge is now in an extremely unsafe state and said a serious accident could happen at any time if urgent steps are not taken. The elders also described the official inaction over the issue as a moment of reflection for the government.

Administration says issue has been taken up

Deputy Commissioner Upper Chitral Muhammad Imran Yousufzai said he was aware of the situation when contacted for comment. He said the matter had been taken up with the relevant departments in an effort to obtain a special repair grant for the bridge.

The bridge remains a critical link for residents on both sides, serving not only as a route for education, healthcare and food access, but also as a connection to the wider road network. Until repairs are carried out, villagers will continue to use the fragile crossing despite the risks highlighted by local elders.

The concerns raised by residents underscore the prolonged difficulties faced by communities in remote parts of Upper Chitral, where damaged infrastructure can directly affect access to essential public services and mobility.