Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Mar 17: It is more than three years since major bridges of South Kashmir were washed away in September 2014 devastating floods but authorities are yet to reconstruct them leading to problems of commuting for thousands of people living in the area.
The restoration of the bridges has been going on at snail’s pace in South Kashmir causing huge inconvenience to the people. Besides, as per contractors, the liabilities of the works executed are pending with the Government that affects the pace of work.
The construction work on all the major bridges including Rohmu Bridge, Trenz, Trisal, Batpora and Asthal Bridge is incomplete and thousands of people living in these areas have to take longer routes to reach their destination. “How long would the Government take to complete the bridges? I doubt whether the people would ever see the completion of these bridges in their lifetime,” Nissar Ahmad, a local said.
An official at Jammu And Kashmir Projects Corporation said out of these bridges, two are funded by World Bank and because of their strict guidelines the construction work was delayed.
“It took us two years to complete all the papers work. This affected the pace of work. Since it was the first project of World Bank, it took us extra time,” he said adding almost 20 percent of the construction work has been completed so far.
While divulging the details, he said the 300-meter bridge at Trenz is being constructed with an estimated cost of Rs 34.50 crores over Ranbir Ara and would connect Sheikhpora with Arihal. Rahmoo Bridge on Romshi Nallah which connects Pulwama with Budgam district via Charar-e-Sharief and Pakherpora is being constructed with an estimated cost of Rs 21.25 crores.
The locals of the area said that ever since the bridges were washed away in floods they have made repeated requests to the concerned authorities for their restoration but they are unmoved. “After overlooking the problems of the people for nearly two years the construction work on the bridge was started in August 2017,” they said.
Deputy Manager JKPCC, Masood Ahmad, told Excelsior that they had only received 10 percent of the funding from the World Bank for one of the bridges and were yet to receive anything for other bridges. “With the 10% funding we can only clear 30% liability of the contractors. The pace of funds has dented the projects. Till now Corporation has been paying contractors money out of their own fund. The Romshi Bridge will be completed till March 2019 and the Trenz Bridge in December 2019 provided funds are released on time,” he said.
In Asthal area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, people lamented that in absence of proper connectivity; thousands of people living in Asthal village are forced to take a long detour to reach the district headquarters of Kulgam. “We are forced to take a longer route to reach our destination. It takes us double the time to reach to the district headquarters of Kulgam,” said Sarwar Ahmad, a local said, adding that the alternative road the commuters are using is in deplorable condition and that is adding to the woes of commuters.
Shopian-Batpora Bridge in South Kashmir’s Shopian district was also washed away in the devastating floods of September 2014 but authorities are yet to rebuild it. Locals of the area said in the absence of a proper bridge, thousands of people living in more than 30 villages are forced to cross the Rambiara stream through a makeshift road.
In order to maintain the connectivity, the authorities have laid tree trunks and large stones on streambed as it remains almost dry except for rainy season. “It is very difficult for the vehicles to cross the uneven road and several vehicles have broken while plying on the road stretch”, Rafiq Ahmad, a local said.
Executive Engineer Roads and Building Department, Sajad Naqeeb, told Excelsior that with an estimated cost of nearly Rs 36 crores, the department has completed nearly 12 bridges that were washed away in the floods and work on the other bridges was also underway. “Ten bridges were completed last year and two bridges including Chankatar in Tral and Rajpora bridge in Pulwama will be thrown open this year. In Trichal, the bridge is already in place but we have planned its widening”, he said.
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