19 years on, vital bridge in Awantipora awaits completion
Pulwama: A vital bridge on river Jhelum at Dogripora in south Kashmir’s Awantipora is awaiting completion for the last 19 years due to locals have been suffering
Locals from Dogripora area and it’s adjacent areas said that the foundation of the bridge was laid in the year 2006 during the PDP-Congress regime, but only around 70 percent of the work has been completed and no construction work has taken place for the last two years.
Rayees Ahmad Lone, a resident of Dogripora village, said that over the years, many people have drowned while crossing Jhelum by boat in absence of a bridge and such accidents wouldn’t have taken place had this bridge been completed on time.
He said that the bridge would connect dozens of villages with the national highway at Pujteng Sethar and over 50 villages with the Railway Station Panzgam, Pulwama.
He said that the project was under Jammu And Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation Limited (JKPCC).
“Every year, they hardly worked for a month or two and left it, due to which the bridge is incomplete for last 19 years,” said Javid Ahmad, a local Auqaf member.
Locals said that they have knocked on the doors of every authority in this regard but nothing happened on the ground.
“We have met every authority in last 20 years who assured that the work will start soon; however, their promises proved a hoax on ground,” they said.
They said currently work has been put on halt and there is no word from the administration when work will resume.
The residents once again requested the administration to look into the matter and complete the work on the bridge.
Meanwhile, Er Manzoor Ahmad Beigh Executive Engineer R&B division Awantipora said that a fresh DPR has been sent for revised approval to the administrative department.
He assured that the bridge will be completed soon so that people won’t face any inconveniences.
