Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Mar 31: Despite assurances by the Deputy Chief Minister in September last year that work on the long-pending Guzhama bridge in Ganderbal district would resume within three months, the project remained stalled with no visible progress on the ground.
The Deputy Chief Minister, accompanied by the Advisor to the Chief Minister, visited the site and promised that construction would restart within the stipulated time frame.
Nearly six months later, residents told ‘Excelsior’ that work has yet to resume.
The bridge, whose foundation stone was laid in 2008, remains incomplete 16 years on.
Nearly Rs 9 crore have been spent so far, but only four pillars have been constructed. Fresh financial sanction is still awaited.
The project was envisaged to connect Ganderbal with neighbouring Bandipora and Srinagar districts, reducing travel time for residents of Batwina, Guzhama, Wakoora and adjoining villages.
Locals said the bridge would cut travel time to Srinagar to around 10 minutes. At present, they must travel via Sumbal, covering several additional kilometres.
“The foundation stone was laid in 2008. Till 2026, nearly Rs 9 crore have been spent, but there has been no work for years. Only four pillars stand there. It appears to be a waste of money as it is not benefiting people in any way,” said Ghulam Muhammad Malla, a resident.
Residents alleged that work has remained suspended for nearly eight years, forcing people from dozens of villages to rely on boats to cross the river.
Citing hardships, Malla referred to a recent incident in Sheikhzu village.
“A man died recently and we had to take his body for burial by boat. The mourners also travelled by boat. This is just one example of the suffering,” he said.
Manzoor Ahmad Mir questioned the delay despite repeated assurances.
“Spending Rs 9 crore is not a small amount when nothing concrete is in place. The Deputy Chief Minister assured us that work would restart within three months. Six months have passed, but nothing has happened,” he said.
Abdul Majeed of Batwina described the project as a victim of administrative neglect and political transitions.
“Sixteen years ago, work began. For nearly eight years, it has remained halted. Nearly a dozen villages depend on this bridge. In its absence, people travel about five kilometres to Sumbal before proceeding to Srinagar. It is a shame,” he said.
Locals also alleged that public projects often suffer due to changes in Government, with one administration laying the foundation stone and another allowing the project to languish.
Officials attributed the delay to pending sanctions and procedural issues.
Executive Engineer, R&B Division Ganderbal, Arif Iqbal said the Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been submitted, but the Finance Department sought clarification regarding land acquisition.
“Documents related to land acquisition and associated costs have been submitted to the Administrative Department. The Chief Minister’s Office and the district administration are monitoring the project, and the Deputy Chief Minister is taking personal interest to ensure work starts soon,” he said.
He added that the bridge has recently been included under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) and expressed hope that sanction would be secured within a month.
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