Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 9: In a distressing turn of events, a makeshift bridge, constructed by local residents in the Satruna Kangan area of Ganderbal district, has collapsed, leaving the community grappling with a severe lack of connectivity.
The collapse of this bridge, residents reported, has rendered them without a dependable means to cross the Nallah Sindh, with no immediate solution in sight.
Locals recounted that the construction of a new bridge had commenced as far back as 2014, but progress on the project ground to a halt due to the unavailability of necessary funds.
Faced with the urgent need for connectivity, residents took matters in their own hands and assembled a makeshift bridge. Unfortunately, this temporary structure recently gave way, leaving them with no choice but to traverse the water to reach the opposite bank of the river.
Abdul Rashid Lone, a resident of the area, expressed his distress over the situation, stating, “The need for connectivity was critical, but we had no alternative except to construct a makeshift bridge, which has now collapsed just days ago. We are now forced to wade through the water to reach the other side of Nallah Sindh, thanks to the low water level.”
Community members underscored the vital importance of connectivity in the area, as it connects a school on one side of the river with a hospital on the other.
Effective connectivity is paramount for the well-being of the community, particularly for female students attending the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, where several are enrolled.
In response to the pressing issue, the President of the Block Development Council (BDC) visited the area on two occasions, assuring residents that he would take action to address their demands and provide the much-needed connectivity.
Chairman of the BDC, Muhammad Yousuf Poswal, revealed that he had requested additional funds from the Deputy Commissioner of Ganderbal to expedite the bridge construction.
Poswal acknowledged the funding challenges, stating, “Last year, we allocated Rs 12 lakh, and only the abutments were completed. The remaining work was left unfinished due to insufficient funds. Although an additional Rs 22 lakh has been allocated, it is unlikely to be adequate due to the bridge’s location over the Nallah Sindh.”
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