Vital bridge damaged during 2014 floods yet to be constructed
Pulwama: Work on a vital bridge that connects Pulwama district with Budgam and which suffered extensive damage during the 2014 devastating floods is still awaiting completion.
Notwithstanding the tall claims of government administration that development works are being executed speedily, there has been prolonged delay in construction of Rahmoo bridge on Romshi Nallah which connects Pulwama with Budgam district via dozens of areas including Charar-e-Sharief and Pakherpora.
Residents of Rahmoo and its adjacent areas said that lack of concrete bridge affects their daily life as they are forced to take a longer route which takes a toll of time as well as resources.
“Hundreds of vehicles are forced to ply on risk prone tracks in absence of the bridge there by causing inconvenience to thousands of people, which includes students,patients and local commuters,” said Abdul Rasheed a local resident of Rahmoo.
He added that the bridge got completely damaged during 2014 floods.
“Though the government started construction work on the bridge but it was left midway and since then the bridge is awaiting completion,” he added.
“Work was stopped last year due to unknown reasons and authorities are yet to restart work on it despite repeated requests to the concerned authorities,” said Abdul Qayoom, another local resident.
When contacted, Deputy Managing Director JKPCC Pulwama unit Er Masood Ahmad Gagoo, said that the delay in completing the bridge can be attributed to shortage of construction material.
“The sub structure of the bridge has been completed already and the steel required for the completion of bridge is lying at Jammu. We could not transport the material to the valley owing to the bad condition of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway,” he said.
“Now that the climate has started to change we are hopeful that we will be able to bring the required steel and accordingly work will be started for completing the bridge,” he assured.
He said that till November 2020, the bridge will be made functional.
Jahangeer Ganaie
