Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Apr 3: The twin World Bank funded bridges in Pulwama and Shopian districts of South Kashmir have not been rebuilt despite passing of six years since floods washed away them in 2014.
Officials at Jammu and Kashmir Projects Development Corporation (JKPCC) that is executing the project blamed meager funding from the World Bank and two back-to-back lockdowns in last year for prolonging the project.
Out of several bridges that were damaged in the devastating floods of 2014, the World Bank financed two bridges located in Trenz area in Shopian district and Rohmoo village in Pulwama district. Besides, connecting dozens of villages to each other, the bridges form a vital inter-community link between different districts.
The authorities put the costs of the bridges at Rs 34.5 crore for the Trenz Bridge and at Rs 21.5 crore for the Rohmoo Bridge. The work began a month after former Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, toured the sites in May 2017. Until then, locals said the areas remained cut off for around three years. “Three-years after floods in May 2017, the State Government took notice and announced that the World Bank will fund the projects,” locals said.
In absence of the connecting links, people of several areas continue to face problems of commuting. “We have been traveling on a dangerous makeshift road which can be washed aside by the gushing waters anytime,” Manzoor Ahmad, a resident of Rohmoo village said, adding the authorities should create an alternative bailey bridge till the links are restored.
The residents from Shopian areas said that ever since 300 meters Trenz Bridge was washed away by floods they had been forced to take longer routes to reach the neighboring Pulwama district. “We travel to Pulwama for all basic facilities like healthcare and education as it is closer than our own district. We are facing great hardships in absence of the bridge,” the residents said.
Deputy General Manager, JKPCC Masood Ahmed Gangoo, told Excelsior that work on both the bridges is underway. “The fabrication work on both the bridges is underway. The bridges will be completed by the end of September this year,” he said.
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