HC seeks progress of work on bridges

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 31: Observing that Court is unable to appreciate the attitude of the authorities in carrying out and completing the projects of public importance, the High Court today sought progress of 10 year old work on two bridges in far flung areas of Ganderbal and Bandipora districts.
Two bridges, one Tengchatri bridge and the other Akhal bridge situated in Kangan area of district Ganderbal and Bandipora were to be constructed by the JKPCC and the work had started on these projects way back in 2012 but the executing agency is unable to complete the construction work and made the bridges functional even after 12 years.
“This clearly shows the pace at which the JKPCC works. The way it is working gives an impression that it is not interested in providing the said facility of the bridges to the residents,” Division Bench of Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Moksha Kazmi said.
“Be as it may be, M A Chashoo, AAG, prays for and is allowed a month’s time to file the affidavit of the Managing Director, JKPCC Limited, to report about the progress of the work of the two bridges which may clearly indicate, whether the Government is actually interested in constructing the said bridges or is just delaying the matter and is playing with the public,” the DB directed.
The court after perusal of the status report said, the Deputy General Manager JKPCC, unit Ganderbal and Bandipora, has filed a status report which simply narrates the story shifting burden from one authority to another without any sense of responsibility that it has to complete the construction within a time bound period.
“The Court has not even required any status report rather an affidavit indicating, whether the bridges have been completed and made functional. The simple language used in this order of the Court has not been comprehended by the authority and it has come forward with the status report and not with any affidavit whatsoever,” the DB said.