President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera on Tuesday took a joy ride on the upgraded Nkala rail line which passes through the Shire North Railway Bridge.

Chakwera did this after officially opening the 64 meter new Shire North Railway bridge in the area of Traditional Authority Nkaya in Balaka district.

Speaking after opening the railway line Chakwera urged the villagers to desist from vandalizing the railway line.

The bridge is 165 metres long and is expected to ease accidents which were happening at an old bridge which had no side passes for pedestrians.

The bridge has been constructed to the tune of $13 million.