Srinagar- Despite witnessing tragedy a few months back, the pivotal Gandbal Bridge in Batwara of Srinagar has missed yet another deadline.
Pertinently, the officials had stated the bridge would be ready for public use by the first week of July.
As per the details, the deadline for Gandbal Bridge was set as June 30, 2024, but authorities were unable to meet it.
On April 16, a pall of gloom descended throughout Kashmir after a boat ferrying 15 people capsized in the River Jhelum at Gandbal, leaving 8 persons dead, including a father-son duo.
On June 22, the Chief Engineer of the R&B department, Sajad Naqeeb had also said that Gandbal Bridge was expected to be ready for public use by the first week of July.
In this regard, an official heading the Gandbal Bridge construction said that the work is ongoing and that from the Batwara side, the work is completed.
“We are continuously working on the bridge, and the work is almost complete on the Barwara side. The delay occurred because there were some problems on the Gandbal side, as people were not allowing us to work properly,” he added.
The locals say that construction on the Gandbal-Batwara footbridge began in 2016, but the challenge of completing such a small project appears to be beyond the capabilities of the government.
“The major tragedy that claimed the lives of eight people, including minor schoolchildren might not have occurred, had this footbridge, construction of which began eight years ago, been finished on time,” the aggrieved residents told Kashmir Observer.
They said the difficulties they have been facing over the years—seem to have less of an impact on the administration.
“We want the authorities to complete the bridge as soon as possible.”
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