MULTAN, May 27th: Almost all railway bridges in the country have outlived their life. Out of a total of 5,000, as many as 289 railway bridges are in a dilapidated condition, threatening the life of passengers but concerned authorities are taking no step to rehabilitate them.Around 5,000 railway bridges exist throughout the country from Peshawar to Karachi. As many as 200 bridges exist only in the Rawalpindi sub-division.Reliable sources in the railways informed that 289 out of a total of 5,000 railway bridges are in a dilapidated condition. Two bridges, 60 and 61, on the Taxila-Havelian section in the Rawalpindi sub-division are in a poor condition and concerned authorities have warned drivers of all trains to pass through these bridges with a speed of 15 kilometres per hour. All trains have to follow the speed limit for safety to the life of passengers. The main Jhelum bridge is also in a poor condition and an accident could happen there anytime, sources said.According to sources, the government had allocated Rs410 million in the budget for rehabilitation work on railway bridges. The rehabilitation work on railway bridges had started in 2008 but only 10 to 15 per cent work has been completed so far, sources said.Pakistan Railways Assistant Executive Engineer Mateen Ahmed Khan, when contacted by ‘The News,’ admitted all facts and figures. He said that they have started rehabilitation work on dilapidated bridges. There are around 5,000 railway bridges from Peshawar to Karachi, including 200 bridges in the Rawalpindi sub-division. Most bridges are in a poor condition, however, several are in better condition, he said. He said that two bridges on the Taxila-Havelian section in the Rawalpindi sub-division, number 60 and 61, are in very poor condition and “we have reduced the speed limit of trains to 15 kilometres per hour on these bridges.Pakistan Railways Divisional Personnel Officer (DPO) Faiz Ahmed Khan told ‘The News’ that almost all bridges have outlived their life. The authorities have started rehabilitation work on 192 bridges from Peshawar to Karachi, he said. He said that the condition of the main Jhelum bridge is very poor and authorities would start rehabilitation work there soon. “Lack of funds is the main hurdle in the way of rehabilitation work in railways,” he said. He said that apart from dilapidated bridges poor condition of engines and coaches is also a major issue.It has learnt that the majority of dilapidated railway bridges exist in the Rawalpindi division. Several bridges, including Mareer Hassan Bridge, Korang Bridge and Taxila Bridge, are without fence on both sides. The bottom of these bridges is almost broken and the authorities have fitted wooden and steel sheets to strengthen them. Not only bridges but also tunnels are in a poor condition.The passengers urged the concerned authorities to start rehabilitation work on bridges to avoid any mishap. Most families travel in trains but due to poor condition of the railway system they are compelled to adopt other means of travel, they said. They said that when trains pass through dilapidated bridges passengers hold their breath in fear.