17 years on, Jetty bridge awaits completion
Danish Tariq
The construction of a bridge at Khawajabagh area in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district is incomplete since 17 years. The construction of bridge was started in 2002 but the work was suspended frequently due to Non-availability of funds, bridge connecting Khawajabagh and Janbazpora, would connect these areas with the Srinagar-Baramulla road. It would reduce the travel time and serve as an alternative road between Baramulla and the Kupwara.
Mohammad Younis, local resident said “if Jetty bridge would be completed it will ease the travel between Baramulla-Kupwara, distance will be reduced up to 30 kilometres and also will streamline the traffic mess on Srinagar-Baramulla highway” he added the army convoy to Kupwara can be diverted through this bridge that will help the Baramulla town to get rid of traffic mess and public transport will not be badly effected during army convoy movement “After Pulwama attack government has banned public transport movement during army convoy”.
Ghulam Nabi, shopkeeper said, All the governments had neglected the development works in Baramulla “at the time of elections representatives will start begging for votes soon the elections conclude none of them will be seen up to next elections” the work on jetty bridge has not completed since 17 years many times as we appealed to the authorities to start work on bridge but no official paid any attention towards our demand it’s unfortunate that government cannot complete a single bridge in our locality how can we expect other development works from them he added.
The work of bridge is going on under the supervision of J&K Projects Construction Corporation
(JKPCC) at estimated cost of 21.37 crores but JKPCC had missed several deadlines on completion of “Jetty Bridge” local residents demanded that the construction on the bridge should be resumed.
Deputy General Manager, JKPCC, Feroz Ahmad Chat, said, due to paucity of funds the work on jetty bridge is delayed and overstretched, we have included it in languishing projects but government has not released funds which we had expected in March, as soon as the funds will be provided the construction work on bridge will be started without any further delay in project.