Bridges in Srinagar continue to miss deadlines
Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Dec 8: Three vital bridges in Srinagar remained incomplete even after missing several deadlines since the construction works on them were started.
The absence of the structures has caused problems of commuting for the residents living in these areas. While the executing agencies are blaming shortage of funds for the delay, people hold lax attitude of the authorities responsible for it.
The bridges are being constructed at Qamarwari, Pandrethan and Shalteng areas of Srinagar. While Shalteng bridge was incomplete for more than a decade, work on Qamarwari and Pandrethan was dragging on for more than six years.
The Qamarwari Bridge is coming up near the popular Cement bridge which was constructed in late 70’s and holds the distinction of being first concrete bridge in Srinagar. An additional bridge was sanctioned to reduce the traffic congestion on this bridge in 2011. The work on the 127 meters long bridge which according to Roads & Buildings (R&B) Department costs Rs 9.85 crore was started in June 2011.
The Qamarwari area is one of the most congested areas of Srinagar city and frequent traffic jams in the area have become a major source of inconvenience for the commuters. The bridge is an important link as it connects the Old city, Soura, Hazratbal and Ganderbal areas with North-Kashmir, Qamarwari and Batamaloo.
Chief Engineer Roads and Buildings Department, Sami Arif told Excelsior when contacted regarding the Qamarwari bridge, that the project has been approved under the languishing projects and work has resumed. “Some other hurdles like acquisition would be cleared soon,” he said.
Nearly five kilometers away, construction work on the Shalteng bridge on the outskirts of Srinagar has been underway for a decade. The construction work of 193 meters long bridge which would connect Goripora and Palapora areas with Srinagar-Baramulla highway with a revised estimated cost of Rs 1679.78 lakhs was started in November 2008 and has missed several deadlines.
The residents of Goripora and Palapora have to face immense hardships in absence of a motorable bridge in the area. “We were very happy when the work on the bridge was started as it was the lone motorable bridge that would connect us with the Srinagar-Baramulla highway via Shalteng. But more than 10 years had passed and the bridge is still incomplete,” Sameer Ahmad, a resident of Goripora said.
Another bridge at Pandrathen area, constructed by JKPCC with a total project cost of Rs 13.33 crores is awaiting completion for more than six years.
Construction of the 120 meters double lane bridge connects areas like Lasjan, Soiteng and Padhshahibagh to Srinagar via National Highway. The locals from Soiteng, Lasjan, Padshahibagh, Athwajan, Pandhrethan, Batwara, Sonawar and other adjoining areas lamented Government’s lackadaisical approach towards the construction of the “vital connecting link” and charged them with showing indifferent attitude towards the people.
The officials at the JKPCC said that the projects have exhausted deadlines due to scarcity of funds and they have are awaiting its approval under languishing projects. “We have submitted it under languishing projects scheme. However, we haven’t received the approval,” Zahoor Ahmad, Deputy General Manager JKPCC said, adding at least 90-percent of the work is complete in both the bridges.
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