Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, July 20: A footbridge connecting thousands of people residing across the river in Dhara area of Mandi in Poonch district was damaged in flashflood but was not repaired and the people of several Panchayats are suffering.
Reports said that due to heavy rainfall about two weeks ago, this foot bridge was completely damaged, the part of which is still there in the river, disconnecting thousands of people residing in Dhara, Danna, Haribudha, Baila and Fatehpur Panchayats. The hapless people including children, women and elderly persons are forced to cross through the river at the risk of drowning and drifting at any time.
Elected representatives of the area and general public said that Deputy Commissioner Poonch had directed concerned department to turn the river water to other side so that people can cross the stretch easily, a machine was put on work but still that has not been done.
“Our children are not going to schools, people are facing problem in crossing the river and there are high chances that some one can drift and drowned at any time. We urge the administration to cut and turn water to other side immediately and also make sure to construct foot bridge again at this place so that people may not suffer more,” they added.
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