Islamabad 30 April 2025(kamran Raja): The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Pakistan successfully hosted the Bridges Handover Ceremony in Islamabad, marking the formal completion of the “ReBridge: Resilient Infrastructure Recovery” Project in the Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The event celebrated the successful restoration and upgrading of pedestrian suspension bridges in Bahrain and Kalam, originally constructed by UNOPS following the catastrophic 2010 floods to restore vital connectivity. Over the years, the bridges had deteriorated due to nearby highway construction (Bahrain-Kalam Road), and insufficient maintenance. In 2021, UNOPS initiated repairs, upgrading the bridges to International standards to minimize long-term maintenance needs, while proactively identifying a dedicated government department to assume future stewardship of the infrastructure. This crucial work ensures continued safe passage and connectivity for thousands of residents, directly benefiting 49,700 people in the region. During and after the 2022 devastating floods, these bridges served as the vital and only safe river crossings in the region, safeguarding access for thousands of residents.
In addition to this, UNOPS has also donated two modular steel pedestrian bridges (each bridge of length 55 meters) to the local administration of Bahrain, enhancing government resilience in case of emergency situations.
During the ceremony, UNOPS officially handed over the bridges to the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Opening the event, Jennifer Ankrom Khan explained the role of UNOPS in various areas of development and highlighted the expertise of UNOPS in resilient infrastructures and project execution.
The government representatives including Dr . Amjad Ali Khan MNA and Mr . Mian Sharafat Ali MPA appreciated and thanked the execution and delivery from UNOPS in their addresses. In his closing address, Charles Callanan, Director of the UNOPS South Asia Multi-Country Office, mentioning the challenges faced through thebridges project remarked “The ReBridge project reminds us that recovery is not just about returning to where we were. It’s about moving forward safer , wiser and stronger , while emphasizing UNOPS commitment to quality delivery and building resilience. A wide range of cross-sectoral stakeholders participated, representatives from the government, donor partners, UN agencies, international NGOs, and local partners.
The ceremony not only marked the formal transfer of the bridges but also reaffirmed UNOPS’ ongoing commitment to delivering sustainable infrastructure solutions and supporting disaster recovery efforts that empower communities and build resilience for generations to come.