‘Influential people grab land along Sahar Khad’
Sahar, Devak bridges will be restored by Mar 2026: RO
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Sept 15: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), has totally ignored to hold any inquiry even after its three vital bridges in Jammu region suffered heavy damages during recent rains, while the Regional Officer (RO), NHAI, J&K, R S Yadav claimed that two damaged bridges of Devak river and Sahar Khad on Jammu-Pathankot National Highway will be repaired and restored for traffic movement by March 2026.
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The vital bridges of Devak near AIIMS, Vijaypur and another one over Sahar Khad, near Kalibari in Kathua and the third one over river Ravi at Lakhanpur suffered damages during recent heavy rains. It caused loss worth crores of rupees to the public exchequer.
The people of districts Kathua and Samba have not forgotten the sufferings after the massive damage caused to Tarnah bridge over this National Highway near Dayala Chak hardly two years ago. The traffic was diverted to border road and the road users were forced to cover nearly 25 kms extra distance besides witnessing long traffic jams for about one year. Now, with the non- operation of these three damaged bridges on Jammu-Pathankot-Delhi National Highway, problems of the commuters/ other road users have aggravated.
Official sources told the Excelsior that while about 50 to 60 year-old bridges on the National Highway in the region are still strong enough to face heavy floods but two bridges of Sahar Khad and Devak river, which were constructed hardly 10-12 years ago, got damaged with the floods. The tax payers’ huge money worth crores has gone down the drain but there is no accountability at all. Even the NHAI or the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways turned a blind eye towards this fact and avoided to order any inquiry. Further, the agencies involved in preparing and approving the design of these bridges, were not taken to task.
Sources added that Sahar Khad has been divided into two channels northern and southern one, towards Kalibari. Along the Southern channel on the upper side of this bridge, some influential people including a local politician, a Jammu based businessman, an owner of a private school and a few other people have allegedly grabbed some land along the Nallah (Khad). They some time back, using their influence engaged JCBs and diverted the water channel towards Northern Channel so as to protect their lands from flood water. No action was taken by the District Administration Kathua or the Revenue authorities in this regard. The encroachment of huge land at the banks of river Devak, closer to the AIIMS Vijaypur has also reduced the water discharge space, posing threat to the existing bridges. The authorities at the helm of affairs involved in the construction of this Institute ignored this factor as well, the sources added.
The sources further revealed that as per directives of the Geology and Mining Department, no one is allowed to carry out any mining activity about 500 mts up-stream and 500 mts down stream of any highway or railway bridge but the mining mafia during these days, in connivance with the concerned authorities continue to carry out illegal mining activity without any fear, even closer to the vital bridges. The unbridled mining mafia is also causing damages to the bridges these days, they said. .
A retired Chief Engineer from PW(R&B) Department, K S Nathyal, an expert on the subject said that while the issue with regard to some damage to the old Ravi bridge at Lakhanpur could be breaking of flood gates, and sudden heavy flow of water towards northern embankment but the damage to the Sahar Khad and Devak bridge are the cause of concern. He said before rainy season proper channelisation of water flow under the bridge is must. The Flood Control authorities must perform this activity for the protection of bridge before rainy season. The huge volume of water was allowed to pass under 2-3 spans instead of all the bridge spans and it caused damage to the embankment and a few piers, he said.
“Apparently, same was the reason at Devak. The weak foundations, less depth of the pillars and design could be the other reasons but only a probe can expose these factors and force the authorities to take precautions for future,” Nathyal said.
Another expert and retired J&K R&B, Chief Engineer, R K Mansotra said illegal mining is the main factor of damages being caused to the bridges these days. He said at Sahar Khad, Devak, Tawi, or other bridges, this is the major cause. There could be possible flaw in the design also. Sometimes the land mafia goes on digging river bed closer to the bridges and even down the base of the piers, causing major threat to their existence. In some of the cases, it has been observed that the necessary bridge protection works like, concrete and sufficient wider and deep base using iron bars on the river bed, under the bridge is ignored by the agencies to save money. This factor should be taken into consideration by the NHAI, a supervisory agency over the contractors/ construction companies. He opined that there appeared to be some flaw in the design of the bridges. In both the cases piers have been displaced. The matter needed to be probed, he added.
Mansotra said in view of the heavy rains, the necessary protection work of the weak and exposed embankments of the old Ravi river were ignored by the Highway authorities. At least a safety audit of the old bridges must be done before the rainy season and Ravi river is more than 50 yrs old, the expert suggested.
Regional Officer, NHAI, J&K Region, R S Yadav when contacted said there was heavy rain on Aug 26-27 and even after that. It was massive flood in Sahar Khad near Kathua and the entire flood water flowed down in huge volume towards one channel, instead of both and it caused damage to the bridge. Yadav said he had gone to the site after damage along with some officers and examined the situation. Same was the issue at Devak bridge near AIIMS Vijaypur.
Regional Officer dismissed the allegations with regard to possible flaw in the design of these bridges and said they got it examined from the experts. But maintained that illegal mining and encroachments are two vital factors causing damage to the bridges. Yadav said the rivers/ Nallahs need sufficient space for water discharge and reduced water channels are bound to cause damage to the bridges. He, however, claimed that within next six months both the bridges of Sahar Khad and Devak will be repaired.
Heavy rain leads to flash flood in Pouni
Heavy rain led to flash flood in Pouni causing fear and panic among locals while Army helicopter air-dropped ration in remote Bamag area of Reasi district today.
Official sources said that the incident took place in Maadi village in Pouni tehsil of the district, with no loss of life or damage to any property.
“There was heavy rain during early hours today and flood water entered our houses causing damage to the property,” a villager said.
He said earlier we realized it could be cloudburst but later found it was just flash flood this morning. “Flood water gushed into the village, and we ran away with our children from the houses towards safer area,” the villager said.
Police rushed to the spot and reviewed the situation, officials added, confirming there was no loss of anything.
A huge mudslide and debris were deposited on the road, which were later cleared by the men and machinery of the Public Works Department, officials said.
Tehsildar Pouni said it was no cloudburst but due to heavy rain, flash flood water entered houses. SHO also denied any incident of cloudburst in the area.
Meanwhile, essential ration supplies were airlifted to Sarhi Panchayat in Bamag Tehsil by an Army helicopter on Monday.
Over the past few weeks, continuous bad weather in the region had completely blocked the road link from Udhampur to Sarhi Panchayat in Bamag, while the pedestrian routes from Sujandhar and Tot in Reasi district were also damaged at multiple locations. This resulted in severe shortages of basic necessities in the area, forcing residents to demand airlifting of essential supplies.
Responding to the demand, ration was finally delivered today by Army helicopter to Sarhi Panchayat. Expressing gratitude, local resident Kuldeep Singh thanked the Army, public representatives, and administrative officials for their efforts in ensuring timely delivery of ration to the cut-off village.
Meanwhile, pilgrimage to Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Cave Shrine, scheduled to begin on September 14, remained suspended for the 21st consecutive day today from base camp Katra in Reasi district.
The commencement of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, scheduled from yesterday, stands postponed till further order,” said an official of the Shrine Board.
He said, “Devotees are requested to stay updated through official communication channels.”
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