Excelsior Correspondent
DODA, Feb 25: A 60 year old suspension footbridge over the mighty Chenab River at Prem Nagar area of mountainous Doda district linking many villages was today declared unsafe by the district administration following a safety audit.
The development has added to the worries of locals who demanded that the bridge should be repaired soon.
After the report of safety audit, crossing of goods-carrying mules and movement of more than two persons over the bridge at a time, were restricted.
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The bridge is an important link between nearby villages and Batote-Kishtwar highway.
The affected people have demanded restoration of the bridge on priority or establishing of some other arrangement for the public.
Locals informed that about 4,000 people including students, daily wagers and others daily cross the bridge. Suspension wires of the bridge have turned rusty and the wooden planks over it have damaged.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Doda, Harvinder Singh said that movement on the bridge has been restricted to two persons after a safety audit declared the bridge unsafe.
“The bridge will be restored soon as R&B Department is on the job,” he informed appealing the people to cooperate.
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