Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Oct 8: Strange but true that even after laying at least three foundation stones of important Chhajla bridge in Mendhar area of district Poonch, the bridge is no where in sight for the last several years.
A population of over 20,000 souls has been denied this much needed facility with the non-construction of this bridge due to political wrangles. Though the Government has sanctioned the funds to the tune of Rs 7.70 crore for this 105 mt span bridge connecting several villages of Mankote area, yet the work could not be started for the last more than three and a half years.
The people of these Panchayats falling under Mankote approached the local administration MLA and even the influential MLCs but apparently due to clash of some varied political interests, the bridge has become the casualty.
Interestingly, the initiative for construction of the bridge started about a decade back and the issue was taken up with the local MLA and the Administration. The then MLA Javed Rana had also provided some funds out of his CDF and requested the R&B to start work.
The tenders were also invited but the work was stalled due to some political rivalry. As much funds were needed for this over 100 mt long bridge, the department engineers refused to work on the project and maintained that after proper approval of the project and design the work could be started.
Thereafter, with the initiative of local PDP MLA Rafiq Hussain Khan, the bridge under NABARD was approved by the Government after the issue was strongly projected by local legislators Javid Rana, Rafiq Khan and others during the then District Development Board meeting in 2010.
After the funds worth Rs 7.70 crore were approved by Government, the then Minister of State for R&B Javed Ahmed Dar laid foundation stone on December 26, 2011 at the site with great pomp and show by the local legislator from the ruling party. The project however, could not be okayed even after two years of this ceremony. More than one year was wasted before foundation stone laying ceremony.
Interestingly, another function was organized by yet another political party at the site after some time and MP Madan Lal Sharma was invited to take credit of the bridge project by the local Congress leaders. Amidst fan fare, another parallel a little small foundation stone was erected.
The people had high hopes that work will start soon. But again their unending wait to see work taking off continued to haunt them. Now, hardly month back yet another function was organized at the bridge site and sitting Minister for R&B Majid Wani made announcement there to start work shortly laying another stone to his party credit.
While MLC Javed Rana admitted that this bridge which was his priority for the Mankote people, fell victim to the political interests but maintained that he was instrumental in getting the project cleared under NABARD.
He said that he had initially provided money under CDF for the construction but some local leaders stalled the work and pressurized the departmental engineers. He however, claimed that with his initiative the then MoS R&B laid foundation stone in 2011and thereafter, some others tried to take credit.
MLA Rafiq Hussain Khan from PDP said that he got the project cleared from NABARD after taking issue with the Chief Minister for this important bridge. The tender worth Rs 7.70 crore has been allotted to a Jammu based contractor. The project was pending with the Design Directorate but it is said to have been cleared now. It is up to contractor who has not started work as yet. It was the job of concerned Minister and the Chief Engineer or the Executive Engineer, R&B Poonch.
Mohd Abdullah, Executive Engineer R&B said that non- clearance of the design from the concerned agency for the last over one year was reason behind delay now. He said it was important segment of this project and the work stands allotted to M/s Sharma Constructions Pvt Ltd of Jammu. The work will be started shortly and three year time has been given for the completion. He claimed that smooth flow of funds is must for the completion of project in time.
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