Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 6: The construction work on the vital bridges over the Sind River in Akhal area of Kangan in Ganderbal district has come to a halt due to funding issues, despite the project being listed among the languishing projects.
The Government approved this project more than 11 years ago with the intention of providing all-weather connectivity to the remote neighborhood of Akhal in Kangan. The plan was to enhance connectivity by constructing motorable bridges in these areas. However, even after a decade, the bridges remain incomplete, causing significant hardships for the residents.
Officials familiar with the details informed ‘Excelsior’ that the construction work has faced delays right from the start due to a shortage of funds. To address the funding issue, the Government included the bridges in the list of languishing projects in 2018. However, construction work still encountered delays as the executing agency took extra time to complete the necessary paperwork.
The local residents lamented the lack of much-needed connecting links, forcing them to use unsafe makeshift bridges to reach the other side since there are no alternative routes available. “All the other projects that were initiated alongside the bridge have been completed, but we fail to understand why this bridge is not progressing at a reasonable pace. We have raised the issue with different departments, but aside from passing the blame, they have not taken substantial action,” Manzoor Ahmad, Sarpanch of Kangan, said.
He added that the old bridge has been declared unsafe by the Roads and Buildings Department and can only accommodate one vehicle at a time. “People are forced to use this unsafe bridge due to the unavailability of an alternate connecting link,” he said.
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