*‘Deptts will be pulled up, work will resume: DC
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Feb 3: A bridge supposed to connect Tumina-Reddi in Chowkibal tehsil of the frontier district of Kupwara awaits completion for the last at least 15 years as the administration has been turning a blind eye to the suffering of the people in the area.
The construction of the bridge which was to come up at a cost of around Rs 5 crore was started in 2005 and the same was left mid-way apparently due to lack of funds after the supporting pillars were constructed.
People living in the area told Excelsior that due to the absence of the bridge they are facing many problems, while as the vehicular traffic plies on the other side.
“There are several problems that people living in the area are facing; while, there is a temporary bridge that has been put in place by the district administration, but when the water level rises, people have to travel to take an alternate route which increases the travel by more than 2 kilometres,” Firdous Ahmad, a local, told Excelsior.
Notably, the district administration, keeping in view the problems faced by the people, constructed a temporary foot crossing over nallah Kehmil which flows between Tumina and Reddi areas, however, nothing further has been done in this regard.
“It happened when we went to the district administrator with our grievance about it and then the temporary bridge was constructed for walking purpose; rest, one part of the bridge is complete while as two parts are lying pending,” Irfan Badana, another resident said.
The business community in the area is also suffering in the absence of solid connectivity. They said that the administration has not been paying any heed to the problems of this area despite repeated requests.
“Children, women especially the pregnant women in the area are facing trouble and if the bridge is constructed, apart from easing the hassles of people, would also make it convenient to the people of Tangdhar to the area for business purposes,” Muhammad Sidiq, president Market Chowkibal said.
Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara Imam Din told Excelsior that the concerned departments will be pulled up and it will be made sure that the work that has been lying pending is resumed at the earliest so that the issues of people are resolved.
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