Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Dec 19: Residents of Bangidar-Gutroo village in Tral area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district are facing immense hardships due to absence of a bridge over a local stream.
Nestled in the foothills of Vasturvan mountains, Gutroo is a tiny hamlet that remains cut off from the rest of Valley during rains as the area lacks an all-weather connectivity. Considered as the most backward area of Tral town, the area is facing various other problems including access to drinking water and health care facilities or even electricity.
People of the area said everyday they walk over a makeshift wooden bridge to cross the stream to reach the nearest market. They said that the road leading to the bridge is in deplorable condition and that was adding to their woes further as the road has not been repaired for years.
“The only wish of the people in the area is better road communication – a bridge over the stream – as it will end one of their major problems. It becomes extremely difficult for the people to cross the stream, which swells up during the rainy season,” said Wazira, a local woman resident.
The locals said that every year, they construct a temporary bridge over the stream but during the rainy season the gushing waters wash away the bridge, leaving people with no option to cross the stream. “During rains, the area remains cut off from the rest of the Valley. In case of emergency, the villagers use boats to reach to the other side. But, It is risky to use boats when the stream swells up,” the locals added.
The residents said that several people over the years have lost their lives due to lack of a connecting link, as they could not get the timely medical attention. “Had there been a bridge, several people would have survived,” they said, adding: “only we know how we risk our lives every time we cross the river during the rainy season.
“There is always the risk of the boat capsizing as it happens each year. It’s the pregnant women and patients who are the worst sufferers,” they said. The locals also lamented that they have repeatedly raised the issues with the authorities but to no avail.
Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Tral, Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, when contacted, said the proposal for construction of the bridge was already under consideration but the project might take some time, as it was expensive. “It is an expensive project and is in the initial stage. The feasibility report of the project has not come yet. Let’s see what the experts have to say about the project,” he said, adding that until the project is not completed, the Government was mulling on building an alternative road.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
