Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, May 12: Construction on two World Bank-funded bridges in South Kashmir has come to a halt due to lack of response from construction companies or contractors to complete the outstanding work, with officials saying that they have issued tenders six to seven times in the last few months, but no one has responded.
The World Bank funded two important bridges, the Trenz bridge in Shopian and the Rohmoo Bridge in Pulwama, which were crucial for the connectivity of several areas were washed away in the 2014 floods. In addition to connecting dozens of villages, these bridges serve as vital inter-district links between the three districts of South Kashmir.
The bridges are being built at a cost of Rs 34.5 crore for the Trenz bridge and Rs 21.5 crore for the Rohmoo bridge, with construction starting a month after former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti visited the sites in May 2017. These bridges were supposed to be finished in three years, but seven years have passed since construction began, and the projects are still incomplete.
Showkat Ahmad, the Managing Director of Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation Limited (JKPCCL) told Excelsior that they have issued tenders for the pending work, but no one has expressed interest. “We floated tenders five-six times in the last few months but received no response,” he said.
He said that the sub-structure of both bridges and the girders for the superstructure is complete. “The girders for all the spans are complete for both the brides and are lying near the sites. However, we must launch them over the pillars, which will necessitate some technical know-how and equipment. We have contacted a few companies but are yet to receive a response, “he said, adding that the girders will be launched once the equipment arrives.
The contractors, on the other hand, blamed cost increase for the low response to the tenders and urged the administration to issue revised tenders. “The cost of construction materials, such as steel and cement, has increased by over 100 percent, and the Government has not adjusted its rates to reflect this. Working at current rates is impossible because we will lose a lot of money, “a contractor said, adding that why would not they work if the Government sets rates based on current market conditions.
People in Rohmoo and the surrounding areas said that the lack of important connecting links is still causing problems. “At present, we have been traveling on a dangerous makeshift road that can be washed away by the gushing waters at any time,” Manzoor Ahmad said, adding that the authorities should build an alternative bailey bridge until the links are restored.
The unfinished Rohmoo bridge also connects the districts of Pulwama and Budgam via Charar-e-Sharif and Pakherpora, and people from both districts continue to face problems due to the lack of this vital link.
Since the 300-meter Trenz bridge was washed away by floods, residents of Shopian have been forced to take longer routes to reach the neighboring Pulwama district. “We go to Pulwama for all basic facilities like healthcare and education, because it is closer than our own district. Without the bridge, we would be in a lot of trouble,” the residents said.
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