Bunji Bridge, Suspension bridge across Indus River in Astore District, Pakistan
Bunji Bridge is a suspension bridge across the Indus River in Astore District, built with iron and steel in a cantilever truss design. It spans around 100 meters and connects the two banks of one of the region's largest rivers.
Construction began in 1893 when Captain Aylmer of the Bengal Sappers and Miners installed steel cables from England and wooden girders with stone foundations. This early bridge was groundbreaking for the mountainous region, enabling the first permanent river crossing.
The bridge links Gilgit and Astore District, allowing trade and meetings between different groups living in Gilgit-Baltistan. It enables people to connect their families and businesses across the river.
After restoration in 2012, the bridge serves as an essential crossing point, especially when high water levels in summer make ferry transport impossible. Access is normally on foot or with light vehicles, though local conditions should be considered.
The bridge was built with imported English materials and shows 19th-century engineering methods in this remote mountain region. The structure demonstrates how British infrastructure projects reached even the most isolated Himalayan valleys.
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