Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Dec 14: Over eight months after the tragic boat capsize, the Gandbal bridge in the Batwara area has finally been opened to the public.
Residents noted that the bridge was completed and made operational some time ago, significantly easing movement between the two banks of the Jhelum River.
The bridge had remained incomplete for over a decade, forcing residents to rely on boats to cross the river. Authorities repeatedly failed to complete the project on time, leading to hardships for the residents.
In April this year, tragedy struck when a boat carrying nine people, including children, capsized in the Jhelum, resulting in several fatalities.
Jana, a non-local woman married in the area who lost her husband in the boat capsize, expressed her grief and regret.
“He died in that incident. If the bridge had been completed on time, he would still be with us. Nevertheless, now that it’s done, movement is easier, and no more lives will be lost,” she said.
In the tragedy, six children and three adults drowned while attempting to cross the river for routine tasks on a boat.
The incident sparked widespread outrage over the delayed completion of the bridge, which could have averted the loss of lives.
Following the tragedy, authorities, under the special direction of LG Manoj Sinha, assured the public that the bridge would be completed without further delays. However, no breakthrough occurred by July and months after that.
Officials attributed the delay to alleged interference by locals and disagreements over whether the bridge should be motorable or pedestrian-only. The project was being executed by the R&B Department.
Ishtiyaq Ahmad Reshi, a resident, said the bridge has made travel hassle-free and should have been completed long ago. However, he pointed out deficiencies that still need immediate attention.
“The bridge was supposed to have a ramp to make it motorable for light vehicles, as well as proper fencing. These shortcomings must be addressed without delay,” he said.
Reshi also highlighted that the construction spanned 14 years and thanked the administration for finally completing the bridge.
“Although the bridge is functional, parts of the work remain unfinished. We are grateful to the administration for ensuring its completion, but we urge them to address the remaining issues as well,” he added.
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