NARAN: Authorities opened a newly-installed steel bridge in Battal, near Naran, for traffic on Monday.

National Highway Authority said that work on the installation of the bridge was initiated on June 23 and was successfully completed on the evening of June 25.

In May, authorities had said that the bridge would be fixed and opened for traffic in 10 to 12 days.

The bridge had been swept awy in last year’s floods leading to the route towards Naran begin blocked, affecting both locals and tourists.

Locals had appealed to authorities to fix the bridge immediately so their travel difficulties could be eased. The bridge will also open an alternate route for traffic going to Gilgit.