16 years on, vital bridge on Jhelum in Awantipora awaits completion
Awantipora: Even after a lapse of around 16 years, a vital bridge on river Jhelum at Reshipora in Awantipora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district is awaiting completion.
Locals said that the foundation of the bridge was laid in 2008 during the PDP-Congress regime, however, since then 16 years have passed but 50 percent of the civil works are yet to be completed.
Gowhar Ahmad, a resident of Reshipora village said that in absence of the bridge, they have to go for around 10 kilometres to reach the National Highway which otherwise is just half a kilometre away from their village.
“If this bridge is completed, this will connect Tral area with Shahoora area in Pulwama and shorten their distance by kilometers,” he said.
Since last 16 years dozens of bridges have been completed in the district but due to unknown reasons, this one has been left out, he said.
Javid Ahmad, another local resident said that in the last six seven years no work has been undertaken place on the bridge.
He added that in order to reach school or college, the children have to cross the river Jhleum through a boat which could prove dangerous anytime.
Locals said that they have knocked the doors of every authority in this regard but on ground nothing seems to work.
They said that there is no transport service available in the area due to which local people are suffering and the services have eluded them in absence of a bridge.
Locals once again requested the higher ups to look into the matter and resume work on this bridge so that people can heave a sigh of relief.
Executive Engineer R&B Awantipora, Manzoor Ahmad, when contacted said that a revised DPR has been framed and sent to higher authorities for approval, since there is cost escalation of about 3.75 crores.
He said that work will resume on the bridge once the revised DPR will be approved.
