Waseem Ahmad
SRINAGAR, Oct 15: In a blatant example of official apathy, a bridge in Drugmulla area of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district is incomplete, despite construction work started 16 years ago.
The construction work on the 450-meters vital bridge that connects dozens of villages with Drugmulla was started in 2002, but the bridge has not been completed yet.
In absence of the bridge, the residents of the area have to face immense hardships as boats are the only means through which they are able to cross the river. “Whenever we have to travel from Chake-Drugmulla to main market we have to cross the river using boats. Women, elderly persons and children are the worst sufferers. To complete a distance of just one kilometer, it takes us more than an hour,” the locals said.
He said it has been 16 years since the construction of the bridge was started but authorities failed to complete the bridge, making villagers suffer. “The administration has forgotten us long ago. Sixteen years have passed and the bridge is still incomplete. Whenever we approach authorities regarding the issue, they blame paucity of funds for it. The bridge is one of the vital links and connects dozens of villages including Hatmulla, Shatwari, Krishpora, Nagri and Gushi with Drugmulla,” he said
Mohammad Shaban, another resident said that they have to risk their lives by using boats as it becomes difficult for them during rains to cross the river. “A boat rows between the two banks of the river and we pay the boatman for ferrying us. However, it becomes difficult during heavy downpour when the boatman is not able to sail the boat due to rise in the water level. This leaves the entire area cut off,” he said
As per the locals, people have to accompany their children to the boats and are always apprehensive about their well-being during cross over. “To avoid any untoward incident, during the rainy days, we don’t send our wards to schools,” they said.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC), the executing agency of the bridge, blamed paucity of funds for the non-completion of the bridge. “The project is incomplete due to paucity of funds. The funds for the project have not been approved yet. We are waiting for the funds and the construction will soon be started after the funds are released,” Executive Engineer, JKPCC, Mufti Irfan Shah said.
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