Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 18: The work on a vital bridge worth Rs 206 crore over river Chenab in Khour-Pargwal area of Akhnoor sector, said to be the longest bridge (nearly 2 km) in Northern India, could not be taken up even after long wait of four years, despite the fact that its site has been changed twice.
Though this bridge is considered as most vital and strategically important as per Defence point of view due to geographical location of Pargwal area having population of over 22,000 souls and presence of several defence installations there, yet this bridge did not attract the much attention of the State and the Central Governments since 2012.
During last four years, the sites of the bridge have been changed twice due to ill-planning by the people at the helm of affairs and now, third location near Indripattan in Jourian area of Akhnoor sector has been selected instead of Hamirpur Kona and another second location, about 3 km upstream the initial site.
The funding period of NABARD also lapsed due to long delay and the State had to surrender these funds and then project was resent to the Union Govt under Central Road Fund (CRF) by the new PDP-BJP Govt which sanctioned Rs 206 crore. Even in last two years of this new Government, no headway has been made on this important bridge project.
Official sources told the Excelsior that this 1680 mt span bridge over Chenab, directly connecting Pargwal area, which is surrounded by Pakistan from three sides and from other side locked by the mighty Chenab river, with a narrow road acting as life line along an old canal popularly known as Sua No. 1 with Khour, will provide a big relief to the big population of this border belt after commissioning.
During Pakistani shelling/ firing, only one single road connecting Pargwal with Jammu-Akhnoor highway at Sua No. I, serves as life line for the people. But some times this population of over 22,000 souls remains cut off during heavy shelling from Pakistani side as this only road is closer to border at several points and this bridge would provide them a vital outlet at the time of crisis. The bridge would also reduce the distance between Pargwal and Khour Tehsil/ Sub- Divisional headquarters from 55 kms to just 14-15 kms.
Not only for the people of Pargwal and Khour, Pallanwalla or Jourian area, this bridge is also very vital as per Defence point of view. It will reduce the distance of the field units of the Border Security Forces Army from their respective Battalion and Brigade headquarters. The population of over 1.50 lakh from Khour constituency and parts of Jourian (Akhnoor) will have direct access on the either side of the river Chenab through this bridge.
DGM, Unit-IV JKPCC Jammu, Pawan Gupta disclosed that earlier this bridge was being constructed just near Khour town connecting Pargwal directly. But from there Line of Control is closer. The span was also hardly 900 meters from there but Defence authorities raised objections and then it was shifted to the location, about 3 kms upstream. It was earlier approved under NABARD but later shifted to CRF. He said that tenders have already been floated and contract would be finalised shortly.
Managing Director, JKPCC, Dalip Thussu when contacted disclosed that national tenders have been floated for the 1680 metres span bridge. He said it will be longest bridge in Northern India and may reach nearly 2 km including approaches on both sides. The MD further said that three major companies including M/s Gammon Pvt Ltd and M/s Singla Constructions Ltd are also in the race for the contract and it is being finalized within one month. Three years’ time frame has been given by the State Government for the completion of this bridge from the day of commencement of work on it.
Replying to another question, the MD said that earlier, the bridge site was selected during Cong-NC Government downstream but the Defence authorities raised objections being closer to the border, the site was then shifted to few kilometers upstream. Now, the new and third site will be near Indripattan on western bank and Pargwal on the other side. The tender worth Rs 175 crore is being finalized and the rest of the amount will be spent on allied works including approach roads and raising concrete embankments on both the sides of the bridge. He said that the work on the bridge is expected to be started by one month and it will be completed within three years.
Thussu said it will be double- lane balanced cantilever type bridge having foot paths on both the sides. It will be very important bridge even for the Defence point of view. The work was delayed because a local contractor had gone to the court taking plea that there should be joint venture for the contract. But there is no provision of joint venture in CRF projects. The court disposed off the case recently. Shifting of sites was also another reason of delay. But now there is no problem at all ahead. All the pre-allotment formalities have been completed, the MD maintained.
Former Deputy Chief Minister, and Ex-MLA from Khour (Chhamb constituency), Tara Chand said that this project was conceived during the Cong-NC regime and DPR was prepared and soil testing performed during 2012. It was approved under NABARD with his efforts. Initially, the site was selected near Hamirpur Kona, closer to LOC but that site was later changed with the objections from Defence authorities.
At the second site near Khour, nearly 3 kms upstream, the foundation stone was also laid by him and the then R&B Minister Majid Wani. Some work was also carried out there but due to floods during September 2014, massive damage was caused to it and in large area soil erosion took place. Then elections also drawn nearer and the work was stopped. Then the project was changed into Central Road Fund by the new Government and no much progress was witnessed during last two years. The new Govt has again changed the site.
Responding to a question, he said it was old demand of the people from Pargwal area for the last more than ten years because for any work at Tehsil headquarters Khour, they used to come via Sua No. 1 to Akhnoor and Jourian by covering nearly 55 kilometres distance but with the construction of this bridge, this distance would be reduced to nearly 14-15 kms from Khour Sub Division. He said that not only this, the people from Dori-Dager, Pallanwalla, Khour etc would prefer to take this shortest route via Paragwal while going to Jammu and during return journey as well. It will also save time and the money of the people, he added.
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