Approved last year, Latti bridge in Mir Behri awaits completion

A view of decades old wooden bridge at Mir Behri in the interiors of Dal lake in Srinagar.-Excelsior/Shakeel
A view of decades old wooden bridge at Mir Behri in the interiors of Dal lake in Srinagar.-Excelsior/Shakeel

Waseem Ahmad
SRINAGAR, Nov 20: A year has passed since Latti bridge in Rainawari area here was approved but authorities have failed to initiate the construction work on it.
The bridge at Mir Behri, Dal bund road in Rainawari area of Srinagar was sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 14.33 lakhs last year but the construction work has not started yet.
Residents of the area said that the concerned contractor even dumped the construction material for the bridge but the work was never started due to unknown reasons.
According to residents of the area, a decade old wooden bridge is the only link through which the residents travel but that too is in dilapidated condition.
“The temporary wooden bridge was made several decades ago and it is not in good condition now. A new concrete bridge was sanctioned last year after we repeatedly approached authorities but a year has passed now and the construction work has not been initiated till date. It is very unfortunate that our area has been completely neglected by all, especially by R&B Department. In absence of a concrete bridge, around 60,000 population of the area has been left in lurch,” Abid Ahmad Sofi, a resident said
The residents said that travelling through the wooden bridge is very risky as it is not strong enough now that it can hold a group of people and situation may take ugly turn at any time. “The bridge is very old and in shabby condition now. We request concerned department in advance that there might be any undesired eventuality at any time which may result into law and order problem in the area as the same took ugly shape when the Janta Bridge collapsed in 2012 when people along with Additional Deputy Commissioner, other officials and security personnel were passing on the bridge, dozens of whom were injured seriously,” Showkat Ahmad, a resident said.
Showkat Ahmad Dar, Executive Engineer, R&B department said that the area is governed by Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) and they have not granted permission to carry out the construction work in the area. “The area is in the interiors of Dal lake and to begin any construction work, we have to seek permission from LAWDA as the area is governed by them. The construction of the bridge was allotted last year and at that time, LAWDA did not allow us to start any construction work. Now we have again taken the matter with them and wrote an application for the construction of the bridge. Once the permission is granted, we will carry out the construction work,” he said.

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