Thousands Sahiwal villagers demand steel bridge at…

SAHIWAL: Residents of villages 76/5-R, 77/5-R and 74/5-R have renewed their demand for a steel overhead bridge at 77 Wali Pully. They saying the long-standing absence of a safe railway crossing has turned a routine journey into a daily hazard for thousands of people.

The three villages are home to an estimated 20,000 to 23,000 people. Residents say the proposed bridge would provide a safe route for pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and rickshaws to cross the Lower Bari Doab Canal (LBDC) and the double-track Lahore-Khanewal railway line. They also demand improving access to the Lahore-Multan National Highway and markets in Yousafwala, Qadirabad and Sahiwal.

The demand has been raised repeatedly with the district administration, Pakistan Railways, Punjab government and local PML-N parliamentarians since the 1,320MW Sahiwal coal-fired power plant became operational in 2017. Official records confirm that the plant is located near Qadirabad and that its commercial operations began in October 2017.

Before the power plant was built, villagers had two traditional routes to Yousafwala and Qadirabad markets. One was through the railway crossing near Yousafwala Railway Station, which allowed light and heavy traffic to pass. The other, locally known as “77 Wali Pully”, involved crossing the LBDC by wire-boat before walking across the railway tracks.

Tehzeeb, an LHV from village 76/5-R, said the second route had been used for three to four decades, particularly by women and pedestrians. Rickshaws operated on both sides of the canal and railway line, helping commuters reach nearby villages and markets.

However, following the power plant’s development, the railway crossing was closed for public use and traffic was diverted to a new route several kilometres away. A concrete bridge was constructed over the LBDC, but no corresponding crossing was provided over the double railway track.

“This challenge of crossing the railway line remains unresolved,” said Sadique, a resident of 76/5-R.

Villagers say more than 1,000 people, including students, women, elderly residents, traders and labourers, cross the area on foot every day, often facing the danger of fast-moving trains.

Pir Imran Shah, a former four-time MNA, said he had twice forwarded the villagers’ proposal to Pakistan Railways, but it did not progress to the PC-I stage.

Residents working through the Model Village Welfare Committee have now renewed their appeal. Najam Lumberdar of 77/5-R said the bridge would eliminate a lengthy detour and provide safer access to markets and Sahiwal city.

A local civil society representative also described the demand as genuine, noting that similar pedestrian and motorcycle bridges have been constructed elsewhere.

Dawn has learnt that Pir Imran Shah has again forwarded the committee’s application to Pakistan Railways, seeking preparation of a PC-I and construction of the proposed steel bridge.

For residents, the demand is simple: a safe crossing that restores the connectivity they say was lost nearly a decade ago.