Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 9: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has ordered enquiry into abandoned Ganpat bridge over River Chenab in Doda district as the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi-a premier institution being consulted by various States of the country on important projects, has declared the bridge as unfit for carrying out further work. In the prevailing circumstances, an expenditure of Rs 16 crore incurred on providing alternate connectivity to the people of Doda, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar till date has gone down the drain.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that IIT Delhi, which was approached by the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) on the directions of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, has made serious observations vis-à-vis Ganpat Bridge and recommended to the State Government that it would not be safe to carry out further work on it.
“The IIT Delhi has put question mark on the geo-engineering stability of the bridge as majority of the protection works could not be carried out before the increase in the water level of Chenab at the project site due to Baglihar Power Project”, sources said.
Pointing towards the tilted towers of the bridge, the IIT Delhi has held shoddy workmanship responsible for the same. “As protection works as per the design of the project cannot be carried out as of now because of submergence of portion in Chenab water, it is not advisable to carry out further work on Ganpat bridge”, sources said quoting IIT Delhi report.
It is pertinent to mention here that public of Doda, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar prior to construction of Baglihar Power Project used to adopt the motorable road via Pul Doda adjoining river Chenab to reach their destinations. The 263 meters span balanced cantilever Ganpat Bridge across Chenab was mooted to provide alternate connectivity to the people of Doda, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar.
Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, who is also Minister Incharge Roads and Buildings Department, after going through the report of IIT Delhi found it appropriate to get a detailed enquiry conducted into the abandoned Ganpat bridge due to which an expenditure of Rs 16 crore has remained unfruitful till date, sources said, adding “Chief Minister has given approval for the enquiry and formal orders would be issued within next some days”.
The enquiry committee would recommend administrative action against the erring officers besides necessary penal action against M/s A K Constructions, Builders and Engineers, which left the work halfway because of varied reasons, sources informed, adding “though the IIT Delhi has declared that it would not be safe to carry out further work on the bridge, the committee would also ascertain whether the bridge can be put to use in any way or some alternate arrangements would have to be made to provide alternate connectivity to the people of Doda, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar”.
“As far as criminal conspiracy behind the abandoned Ganpat bridge is concerned, the State Vigilance Organization is already carrying out investigation”, sources said in response to another question.
Meanwhile, State Accountability Commission (SAC), which is also holding regular enquiry into a complaint under Section 11 of the J&K State Accountability Commission Act, 2002 vis-à-vis Ganpat bridge, has issued notice to M M Sharma, the then Chief Engineer R&B (PWD), Jammu, Nazir Ahmad Shah, the then Chief Engineer R&B (PWD), Kashmir (presently Information Commissioner), V K Channa, the then DGM JKPCC and D L Sharma, the then General Manager JKPCC.
“They have been directed to file response to the complaint by December 21, 2012 when the case would be listed before the Accountability Commission”, sources said.
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