Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Dec 17: Inordinate delay in the construction of twin bridges over Sindh river in Kangan area of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district is risking the lives of over 5000 people who have to cross the rickety bridges every day.
In order to connect two far-flung neighborhoods of Kangan, Akal and Tangchater, to Tehsil headquarters Kangan and Srinagar- Leh National Highway, Government sanctioned the construction of two bridges in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal District. The bridges would have benefitted nearly 5,000 people living across river Sindh. However, authorities’ failure to finish the projects on time has plunged the areas into despair.
Locals of more than six villages lamented that in the absence of the much-needed bridges, residents risked their lives by traveling over makeshift bridges that are the only connection between these villages and the Tehsil headquarters Kangan.
“Everyone here is scared to walk across the damaged bridge, but they have no other option. The bridge is particularly dangerous in winter season as the frozen ice makes it slippery and a person can fall into the gushing waters of the river”, Mohammad Ramzan, a local said, adding that the rickety bridges are a death trap and everyday people here have to defy death to cross the river. “We have repeatedly staged protests and blocked the Srinagar- Leh Highway but to no avail”, Abdul Rasheed, a local of Tangchater said.
An official at the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Corporation said that in 2012 the department had started construction of a bridge over Sindh River at Akal area of Kangan. “With the project cost of Rs 8.81 crores, the construction work was supposed to be complete in 2016”,he said, adding the project was dented after the locals from the Tangchater area of Kangan also demanded construction of bridge in their area.
He said locals moved to the Court that passed an order in their favor. “The Court directed us to construct both the bridges simultaneously and we have to comply”, he said.
He said construction of two bridges simultaneously affected the flow of funds as both the bridges got an equal share. “A single project was actually doubled and that affected the fund flow,” he said.
General Manager JKPCC Bashir Ahmad War, when contacted said that the project was delayed due to paucity of funds and both the bridges would be completed by the end of April next year. “If Government releases the funds on time we will complete the project by the end of April next year. So far 55% of work on both the bridges is complete”, he said.
While divulging the details of the project, he said that out of the estimated project cost of Rs 8.81 crores for each bridge, the Roads and Building Department has released only Rs 2.40 crores and more than Rs 6 Crores are still pending. “If the funds will flow smoothly the projects will be completed on time”, he said.
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