Pulwama—A vital bridge on river Jhelum at Dogripora area in South Kashmir’s Awantipora is awaiting completion for the last 18 years.
Locals said that the foundation of the bridge was laid in the year 2006 during the PDP-Congress regime, but only around 70 per cent of the work has been completed.
Mohammad Shaban, a local resident, said that over the years, many people have drowned while crossing Jhelum via boat.
Such accidents wouldn’t have taken place had this bridge been completed on time, he said, adding that this bridge would connect dozens of villages with the national highway at Pujteng Sethar and over 50 villages with the Railway Station Panzgam, Pulwama.
He said the project is under Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation Limited (JKPCC).
“Every year, the work is being executed hardly for a month or two and is being left midway, due to which we are facing a lot of problems,” Zahoor Ahmad another local said.
Locals said that they have knocked on the doors of every authority in this regard but nothing happened on the ground. “We have met Governors and their advisors as well who assured us that the work will start soon; however, the promises proved a hoax on the ground,” they said.
They said currently, the work has been put on halt and there is no word from the administration about the resumption of the work.
The residents urged the administration to look into the matter and complete the bridge.
Er Manzoor Ahmad, Beigh, Executive Engineer R&B division Awantipora said that the tendering process of balance work of the bridge will be done within the next 10 days after which the work will be resumed.
He assured that the bridge will be completed soon so that people could heave a sigh of relief—(KNO)
