Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 23: Illegal mining-mafia continued to thrive despite ban by the administration in Kathua, Samba and Jammu districts while the unchecked activity has taken toll on four bridges including an important bridge across river Devak near Vijaypur on Jammu-Pathankote National Highway.
Nearly 500-mt long bridge constructed on river Devak about 50 years ago, suffered extensive damage due to illegal mining (lifting of sand, pebbles) near the bridge as its three central pillars got uprooted and two others in the adjoining, suffered extensive damage. Not only this, the Balol bridge near Kaluchak, constructed by National Highways Authority of India hardly six months back suffered damage recently.
Project Director, National Highways Authority of India, R P Singh told the Excelsior that due to heavy flood in river Devak and extensive mining closer to the bridge, the basement of its 4-5 pillars got exposed and ultimately washed away in August last year. The Balol bridge near Kaluchak, which was constructed this year only, suffered damage hardly three weeks back during flash flood in the nallah. Unchecked mining activity under the bridge was the only reason for the damage. Its basement had been exposed to flood waters and it started sinking.
Replying to a question, the Project Director responsible for National Highway construction from Pathankote to Ramban said about 60 mt portion of Devak bridge has been damaged. Though it is nearly 50 years old structure but it is not unsafe. It can still be put to use. He disclosed that the work on this bridge will be started within two-three weeks and it will be completed in three months. The repair work would cost around Rs 4 crore, he added.
Commenting on the pace of work on National Highway, he said the four- lane highway from Lakhanpur to Jammu has already been completed. Hardly a few patches are left besides a bridge. He said another bridge on Devak river is being constructed by NH Authorities. Till then, this repaired bridge will be put to use for 2-3 years or till the new one is constructed there. For the repair works on Balol bridge, R P Singh said that it will take 4-5 months and nearly Rs 5 crore is needed for its repair.
When asked about any damage caused to other bridges on highway over Ravi, Ujh, Basantar and Tarnah etc, the Project Director said a portion of Ravi bridge has already suffered some damage but it is safe for traffic. Another strong bridge is coming up there. Moreover, now administration in Kathua and Samba has imposed restrictions on lifting sand near the bridges. He suggested that there should be no mining 500 mt upward and down stream from any bridge for its safety and the orders are needed to be implemented strictly.
Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B), Jammu Tahseen Mustafa when contacted said that many bridges are becoming vulnerable only due to the increasing activity of illegal mining. He said this mafia has become so powerful that even now despite ban, they managed to operate even during nights and early hours. There was urgent need of implementation of the orders of the District Magistrates and for this some mechanism is needed to be devised, he opined.
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