He said that an action would be taken against the persons found responsible and added that bridge's reconstruction may take up to six months. Minister said NLC would submit a plan in a week's time about the reconstruction of collapsed bridge of Northern Bypass and added that the length of bridge of Northern Bypass is 600-meter from which 120-meter part has collapsed but the rest of the 57-km long Northern Bypass is safe and can be used.
He briefed the media men about construction of Northern Bypass and said that it cost Rs three and half billion. In its initial stage in March 2006, a defect had occurred which was removed and again work had started in June 2006. First part was completed in November 2006 after that work on second part started from December 2006 and the target was set for the completion of this part in November 2007.
National Logistic Cell (NLC) had constructed 56-km part of Northern Bypass while 24-km part was built by Engineering Consultant International Private Limited (ECIL).
The local administration stopped rescue activities on the portion of collapsed bridge of Northern Bypass after two more bodies were retrieved on Sunday morning from the debris, raising the death toll 10. The clashes between police and people who were present there continued on the second day of the incident and the rescue work was affected.
According to details, rescue workers retrieved two more bodies from the wreckage of the bridge, which were identified as Shahzad and Shadab.
Over thousand of residents of the area including those people who came from different areas of the city were also gathered on the scene due to which police and rangers were compelled to baton charge them. "Police is deployed on the scene to control law and order situation," said Deputy Inspector General (West) Falak Khursheed.
Meanwhile, Chairman, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lieutenant-General Farooq Ahmed (retd) said an enquiry committee will be formed to carry out an in-depth probe into the causes of collapse of a portion of Northern Bypass bridge here and identify those responsible for the mishap.
Addressing a press conference here at the Headquarters of National Highway Authority (NHA), he said a team of best experts on structure design, bridge engineering and soil experts would be constituted to conduct an independent enquiry in this regard.
Chairman NDMA said the names of some persons associated with the construction of the bridge have been entered in the Exit Control List (ECL) to pre-empt any attempt on their part to leave the country.
He said at this moment everything is in a preliminary stage and expressed his inability to answer a number of technical questions regarding the causes which led to the collapse of a portion of the bridge and the appropriate measures needed to lift the debris.
"Today, I have held a detailed discussion with the Federal Minister for Communication, Shamim Siddiqui, heads of NHA, National Logistic Cell (NLC) and other concerned departments with regard to forming an enquiry committee and measures required for lifting the debris," said Lieutenant General (Retd) Farooq Ahmed.
He said in this regard he has provided the specifications in the light of which NLC will present a detailed plan Monday morning about what measures are be taken to remove the debris in an appropriate manner.
On the directive of the Prime Minister, all the concerned departments and organisations including the Ministry of Communication, NLC, NHA and Interior Ministry were issued instructions on Saturday to seal all the records in this connection and prepare and communicate a list of all the witnesses, Chairman NDMA said. They have been directed to present all the evidence within a specified period, he added.