Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, July 28: Vital as per Defence point of view for ensuring smooth Army vehicles movement to the defence installations situated closer to the Line of Control in Sawjian sector and free movement of annual Shri Budha Amarnath Ji Yatra to Rajpura-Mandi, a bridge on the bypass road of heavily congested Mandi town in district Poonch has been abandoned by the Government agency, Jammu Kashmir Project Construction Corporation ( JKPCC) for the last over two years.
This strategic bridge which was sanctioned under Central Road Fund (CRF) along with five other important J&K bridges by the Union Government during 2016-2017 with the cost of Rs 11.25 crores, could not be completed with in 18 months of its completion targeted allotted to the agency JKPCC by the PW(R&B) department. The then PDP-BJP Government had allotted the work during November 2017 to the JKPCC for which the then R&B Minister Naeem Akhtar had laid the foundation stone.
Initially, the agency showed good progress and completed right and left concrete abetments and also raised nearly 60% of the middle pillar. But then suddenly after the visit of the then MD JKPCC, the work was stopped on the plea that work will be tendered by the JKPCC to some private contractor. For this, the agency stopped the work hardly after 6-7 months smooth work. The JKPCC spent nearly Rs 3.35 crore on the bridge during that period.
The sources revealed that after the abrupt stoppage of work to accommodate a blue eyed contractor, the then Managing Director asked the concerned DGM/ Executive Engineer to invite tenders. Several contractors did not come forward to participate in the process and for single entry the tender process is meaningless. For the last two years, the work has been stopped and the JKPCC authorities have failed to rope in any contactor and conduct successful tender, thus affecting a population of over 50,000 besides Army movement and the annual pilgrimage to Baba Budha Amarnath Ji shrine.
Sources further said that there is nearly 800 mtrs approach road to this nearly 80 mtrs long double span bridge on both sides. The agency has already done nearly 50 % of work on this approach road. The contractors were not showing any interest as the chaos has been created by the `agency’ by letting it as piece meals works. It invited tenders for 3-4 times but remained unsuccessful.
Shamim Ganai, Block Development Committee Chairman, Mandi when contacted said that old Mandi bridge is single lane and moreover, nearly one km long Bazaar is very congested. The road to Loran and Sawjina besides several other adjoining villages pass through Mandi town. This old bazaar is very narrow. Two heavy vehicles can not cross through it and long traffic jams, has become the order of the day. Even outside Sub District Hospital Mandi heavy rush of vehicles is seen. Some times, even Ambulance remains trapped in traffic jams for long. A population of over 50,000 has been badly affected with it, he added.
Ganai further said that during month long Shri Budha Amarnath Yatra long traffic jams for hours are witnessed in Mandi Bazar. This market road has become accident prone. The customers and traders also park their vehicles in the main Bazar and this adds to the problem of the road users and even the passers by. Frequent Army movement is also another problem.
“On most popular public demand and defence point of view besides for the smooth flow of yatra, this road and bridge were sanctioned by the then BJP-PDP Government but it seems that this bridge is no priority for current Lt Governor’ s Administration and the BJP regime at the Centre,” Ganai maintained.
Dy General Manager, JKPCC Poonch Arshed Mir when contacted said that they were trying to invite tenders for the last about one and half years but there was no response from the contractors. He said now the tender process is in final stage. One of the contractors has quoted lowest rates and he is all set to receive the allotment order shortly.
The DGM further said that the length of this double lane bridge is nearly 80 mtrs and sub structure has already been nearly completed. Now, the allotment of work for super structure is being made. “We are quite hopeful to allot the work shortly and if the work started within two weeks, it will be completed within next 3-4 months,” he added.
Executive Director, JKPCC, ND Khawaja, however, claimed that he was aware of the issue being local from district Poonch. He said taking much pains he has managed to rope in few contractors to participate in tenders. He claimed that a Jammu based contractor, Anil Sharma has quoted lowest rates and he would be sanctioned allotment of the work shortly. Khawaja said for super structure the cost of tender work has been projected as Rs 3.5 crores. The approach road to bridge is also yet to be completed. He said this contractor has lot of expertise in bridge construction and JKPCC is quite hopeful for the completion of this bridge within next three-four months.
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