Suhail Bhat
Srinagar Mar 1: Over 500-households of Bangidar-Gutroo village in Tral area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district are facing great hardships due to absence of a bridge over a local stream.
Nestled in the foothills of Vasturvan Mountains, Gutroo is a tiny hamlet that remains cut off from the rest of Valley during rains as the area lacks all-weather connectivity.
Considered as the most underdeveloped area of Tral town, the area is experiencing various other problems, including access to drinking water and health care facilities or even electricity.
People of the area said every day they walk over a makeshift wooden bridge to cross the stream to reach the nearest market. They said that the road leading to the bridge is in deplorable condition and that was adding to their woes further, as the road has not been repaired for the year.
“The only wish of the people in the area is better road communication-a bridge over the stream-as it will end one of their major problems. It becomes extremely troublesome for the people to cross the stream which swells up during the rainy season,” said Wazira, a local woman.
The locals said that every year; they construct a temporary bridge over the stream, but during the rainy season the gushing waters wash away the bridge, leaving people with no option to cross the stream. “During rains, the area remains cut off from the rest of the Valley. In case of emergency, the villagers use makeshift boats to reach the other side. But, It is risky to use boats when the stream swells up,” the locals added.
The residents said that several people over the years have lost their lives due to lack of a connecting link, as they could not get the timely medical attention. “Had there been a bridge, several people would have survived,” they said, adding “only we know how we risk our lives every time we cross the river during the rainy season”.
“There is always the risk of the boat capsizing, each year. It’s the pregnant women and patients who are the worst sufferers,” they said. The locals also lamented that they have repeatedly raised the issues with the authorities, but to no avail.
The village also lacks a health care facility and every time someone falls ill; they have to carry the patient on their backs and walk on the dangerous bridge. “It is still some solace in the winters because there is no water in the stream. Imagine when the water is gushing through the stream in summers and you have to carry a patient on your back while treading this treacherous little bridge. It is a nightmare, believe me,” another resident, Umar Khan said.
An official said the proposal for the construction of the bridge is already under consideration, “It is an expensive project and is in the initial stage. The feasibility report of the project has not come yet. Let’s see what the experts have to say about the project,” he said, adding that until the project is not completed, the Government was mulling on building an alternative road.
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