Work on vital Dogripora Awantipora bridge to resume soon after years of delay
Pulwama: After nearly two decades of delays and public outcry, the long-pending construction work on the vital Dogripora bridge over the river Jhelum in south Kashmir’s Awantipora is set to resume soon.
The revised project has received administrative sanction for an amount of Rs 1529.47 lakh, paving the way for completion of a project that has been stalled since 2008.
Locals from Dogripora and adjoining villages have been persistently demanding the resumption of work on the bridge, which was initially taken up by the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation Limited (JKPCC) in 2008.
Though the foundation was laid in 2006 during the PDP-Congress regime, the bridge has seen little progress since, with roughly 70 percent of the work completed before it was abandoned.
Residents say the halt in construction has caused immense hardship.
“Over the years, many people have drowned while crossing the river by boat in absence of a bridge. These tragedies could have been avoided if the bridge had been completed on time,” said Bashir Ahmad Lone, a local resident.
The bridge, once completed, is expected to significantly improve connectivity by linking dozens of villages with the National Highway at Pujteng Sethar and more than 50 villages with the Panzgam railway station in Pulwama.
Fayaz Ahmad, a local Auqaf member, criticized the authorities for their inaction over the years. “JKPCC would work for a month or two and then abandon the site. This has been going on for 18 years. We have approached every possible authority, and every assurance we’ve received has turned out to be hollow,” he said.
Residents reiterated their appeal to the government for the timely completion of the bridge, which they say is essential for daily commuting, healthcare access, and economic development.
The resumption of work on the Dogripora bridge brings renewed hope to thousands of residents who have waited nearly two decades for safer and more reliable connectivity.
