Junaid Rafiq
Srinagar, Jan 09 (KNB): The R&B division Chadoora Budgam started construction of Bailey Bridge at Bagh-e-Mehtab area of Srinagar. The Bridge connects Bagh-e-Mehtab with Rawalpora, the existing bridge was damaged by the 2014 floods.
The locals allege that government has failed to fulfil their needs, since the bridge was damaged in 2014 and the work of restoration was started in 2015. It has been almost 3 years since the project was proposed but only two pillars have been raised, that too are incomplete. The Bridge was declared unsafe for Vehicular movement but it was still used to cross over the river. The commuters were risking their lives and in last year a Maruti car skidded into the Doodh Ganga river.
A staffer at Holy Faith Presentation School adjacent to the location expressed deep anguish over the callous attitude of the authorities. ” we wrote many letters to the concerned department but they did not pay any heed, it should have been closed properly for the vehicular traffic as it was very unsafe to cross over the bridge.
Now the construction has started and we are hopeful that it will be carried forward to accomplishment.”
Assistant Executive Engineer R&B Sub-Div Rambagh while talking to the reporter said, the bailey bridge is temporarily being installed and it will be completed within a week or two. The initiative has been taken to safeguard the people since the bridge was severely damaged by the floods. He Further added the proposal for construction of a concrete bridge aside to the existing bridge has been approved by the government and the work have been also started. We are looking forward to complete to complete the permanent bridge well in time, till then we have chosen a bailey bridge to relieve locals of difficulties. The bridge is safe for heavy vehicular traffic also. (KNB)