A section of the under-construction Kandhkot-Ghotki Bridge collapsed during installation work in Sindh after a bridge deck reportedly broke apart while being lifted into position.
According to initial reports, workers were using cranes to align the deck section with the main bridge structure when the segment suddenly split into three pieces and fell to the ground.
The bridge is being constructed over the Indus River to connect the districts of Kandhkot-Kashmore and Ghotki in upper Sindh. The project is expected to improve regional connectivity, reduce travel time for commuters, and facilitate the transportation of industrial and agricultural goods between the two districts.
The incident occurred only months after construction activities resumed on the 12-kilometer-long project following years of disruption caused by deteriorating law and order conditions in the area.
Officials had earlier stated that engineers, laborers, and contractors working on the project faced repeated security threats, attacks, and kidnapping incidents linked to dacoit gangs operating in nearby riverine regions.
Construction resumed after the Sindh government and security agencies intensified anti-dacoit operations in upper Sindh, improving security conditions for project activities.
Originally launched in 2018 with an estimated cost of Rs. 17 billion, the project has faced major delays and rising construction expenses. The total estimated cost has now reportedly increased to around Rs. 70 billion due to inflation and prolonged interruptions.
The latest collapse is expected to raise concerns regarding construction quality, project safety standards, delays, and the growing financial burden associated with the bridge project.
