Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Feb 28: Col Mahan Singh (Retd), Chairman of the District Development Council (DDC) Kathua, has called for the urgent construction of bridges over the eastern tributary of the Bhini River at Island Village Beril in Pallan Panchayat of Billawar block.
According to him, the lack of bridges has caused significant hardships for over 1,000 residents of Beril, affecting schoolchildren, patients, women, and the elderly.
In a statement, Col Mahan highlighted the serious impact of the situation, pointing out that several students who were supposed to appear for their 10th and 11th exams in Billawar couldn’t reach their centers due to flash floods in the Bhini River.
Despite efforts by the authorities, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the students remained stranded, he said.
He claimed that the residents of Village Bakeli in Deotha Panchayat, Bhaggan Block, are facing similar challenges.
Over the years, Col Mahan Singh claimed, lives have been lost due to accidents in the river.
He said the construction of bridges at both Beril and Bakeli was initially proposed under the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) nearly a decade ago, but the projects never materialized.
“Fresh proposals for these vital bridges have been prepared under the NABARD scheme, with an estimated cost of Rs. 15 crores for each bridge. However, the projects remain stalled due to a lack of funds from the Government,” he said.
Col Mahan has urged the Union Territory Government to prioritize these projects, stressing that the construction of the bridges is essential for the safety and connectivity of these isolated villages.
He called for immediate release of funds and commencement of work to prevent further hardship and loss of lives.
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