New Northern Bypass bridge swept away

A bridge constructed only six months ago over a drain near Nasir Bagh on Peshawar's Northern Bypass, along with a section of the connecting road, was swept away by a flood surge triggered by monsoon rains. The protective embankments built around the bridge failed to withstand the pressure of the floodwater. The bridge is a crucial section of the Northern Bypass, also known as the connecting road between Hayatabad and Karkhano Market. Hundreds of employees, industrial workers, women and Hayatabad residents use the route daily, while traffic travelling from the motorway to Ring Road also passes through it. The Northern Bypass has significantly eased Peshawar's growing traffic congestion. However, the destruction of the bridge has caused severe difficulties for thousands of commuters, forcing them to use alternative routes. Residents expressed concern that nearly three months have passed since the bridge was damaged, but rehabilitation work has yet to begin. They urged Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, the Communications and Works Department, National Highway Authority, Peshawar Development Authority and other relevant authorities to immediately rebuild the embankments with quality materials, restore traffic and identify those responsible for the alleged substandard construction. Meanwhile, booking for the Private Hajj Scheme 2027 has officially opened, but pilgrims have been barred from making payments directly to private Hajj operators. According to sources in the Ministry of Religious Affairs, private Hajj bookings are being processed through the ministry for the first time, with the government overseeing private Hajj packages, agreements and payments. Pilgrims can select a private Hajj company only through the Pak Hajj app or portal, while package selection and payments must also be completed through the official platform.