Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 2: Baba Bhair Dev Sthan Trust has urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to immediately restore the steel footbridge on River Tawi at Katal Batal, Nagrota, which was washed away in the recent floods, leaving the shrine disconnected.
At a meeting held at Dogra Brahman Pratinidhi Sabha, Parade (Jammu), the trustees expressed deep concern over the extensive loss to shrine infrastructure and said that without urgent intervention, devotees would face severe difficulties during the forthcoming Kartik Purnima three-day mela.
Chairman of the Trust’s Construction Committee and former DC BS Jamwal, NMC president Subash Shastri and general secretary Ritiz Khajuria, along with representatives of several social organizations, criticized the administration’s “half-hearted approach” towards repeated demands for upgradation of facilities. They said much of the existing infrastructure, built through community efforts, has been destroyed.
Trust president Balwant Singh, general secretary Ramesh Sharma and advisor Advocate P C Sharma alleged that despite preparation of a DPR for road construction from Aithem to Bhair Dev Sathan, the project was sabotaged by vested interests.
The Trust appealed to the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister, MPs and local MLA to ensure immediate restoration of connectivity by constructing a proper bridge and track before the festival season. The members also sought compensation for the losses suffered.
Among others present were Om Parkash Sharma, Subash Sharma, Kirpal Singh, Girdhari Lal Sharma, Anchit Sharma, Pawan Sharma and Joginder Singh.
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