Waseem Ahmad
SRINAGAR, Mar 21: It’s more than six years since the construction work of a Foot-bridge at Takanwari area on the outskirts of Srinagar was started but authorities failed to complete it.
The work on the 127 meters long bridge over river Jhelum, which would connect Takanwari with Panzinara was started in 2011. The slow pace of work, however, has hampered the construction work.
The residents of Takanwari alleged that the work on the construction of the bridge is moving at snail’s pace and in absence of the bridge they are facing immense hardships in crossing the river.
“Everyday people risk their lives to cross the river by over-crowded boats. If one avoids crossing the river in boats, he has to cover a long distance and cross the river through Maloora-Tengpora Bridge. The new bridge will be a lifeline for us,” Nazir Ahmad, a local resident from Takanwari said
Lateef Khan, a resident of Panzinara said that despite six years, the bridge is still incomplete. “We fail to understand what is forcing authorities to delay construction of the bridge. People have to face immense hardships and authorities are not bothered about it,” he said, adding, “The two pillars for the bridge were built long ago and rest of the work is still pending.”
The construction of the bridge was initiated with an estimated cost of Rs 319.50 lakhs but as per Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC), the executing agency, only Rs 248 lakhs have been released and rest of the amount is pending.
An official at JKPCC said apart from paucity of funds, the construction work was stopped several times due to various reasons. “The project was first delayed due to 2014 devastating floods. After that the work was resumed but we had to procure the required raw material for the bridge from Ranchi, Jharkhand. That delayed the construction of the bridge,” he said
He further said that the work was again stopped due to an issue with the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFC). “To erect anchor blocks for the bridge, we have applied for No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from IFC department as we have to cut the banks of river Jhelum for Anchor blocks. The NOC is yet to be received but hopefully it will be soon issued,” he said
However, he said the major portion of the bridge is complete and expressed hope that the project would be completed by the end of July this year.
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