KV Correspondent

Qamarwari bridge misses multiple deadlines

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The Srinagar’s Qamarwari Bridge has missed the multiple deadlines so far, with the Roads and Building (R&B) department executing only 50 per cent of work since last six years.

The construction of the bridge was started in June 2011 at the cost of Rs 9.85 crore and it was to be completed in June 2014, but due to the official apathy the construction of the bridge could not be completed.

According to the officials, the construction of an alternative bridge in the area was aimed to reduce the traffic congestion on the already existing congested bridge.

Sources said the construction of an alternate Qamarwari bridge was sanctioned by the government in 2011 to reduce traffic congestion.

“The work over the 127 metres long bridge was started in the year 2011 but after six years, the bridge is still incomplete and a lot of work is also pending,” official sources said.

Locals however, accused the department for ignoring their plights and demanded immediate completion of the bridge.

The locals said that the inordinate delay in constructing the bridge has resulted in immense hardships to the residents here.

“The resident especially the commuters are being forced to face hardships as the area witnesses frequent traffic jams due to the congestion on the already existing bridge in the area,” they added.

Following the missing of first deadline, the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti during her tour to the city area in May 2016 set an another deadline for the completion of the bridge.

She according to the locals said that the bridge would be completed by end of Mar 2017.

However, locals said that the authorities miserably failed to construct the bridge even during this period.

Chief Engineer, Roads and Building (R&B) department, Abdul Hameed Sheikh, told Kashmir Vision that the lack of funds, acquisition of land and shifting of a local Masjid was the main reason behind the delay in completion of the bridge.

However, he said that all the issues have been settled now. “Hopefully, the construction of the bridge will be completed by the end of this year (2017),” he said.

Pertinent, the already existing bridge popularly known as “Cement Bridge “ has historical significance as it was the first concrete bridge constructed over the river Jhelum in the Valley.


KV Correspondent

Kashmir Correspondent cover all daily updates for the newspaper

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