Work on new Bridge moves at snails pace in Bandipora’s Ajas
Non-availability of funds for project causing delay, says Exen R&B; DC assures completion within 30 days
Bandipora, Aug 02, : The work on new Ajas Bridge on Bandipora-Srinagar highway in North Kashmir sees very slow progress, causing immense sufferings to local residents, pedestrians as well as commuters.
The bridge is of a vital importance from both local as well as defense point of view as it is the main connectivity, which connects Bandipora with other parts.
Locals while talking to news agency Kashmir News Trust said that the work on the Ajas Bridge was started way back in March this year with a three month deadline for its completion. However, they said more than six months have passed but the contractor has only demolished the previous old bridge and has been able to partially construct the two pillars for the new bridge.
Locals said that the two temporary diversions constructed for the movement of traffic & pedestrians are proving hazardous both for local residents as well as travellers.
“Whenever it rains the water level rises in the Baedkaul Nallah and gets stuck near these two diversions thereby triggering flash floods in the nearby areas, which ultimately leads into the haltage of traffic movement,” locals said.
Locals are now apprehensive about their properties as they feel unsafe because according to them if it rains heavily the day is not far when the Nallah will wreck havoc in the area.
They have appealed Lt. Governor, Chief Engineer Roads & Buildings Department to personally intervene into the matter and direct the concerned to speed up the work so that any untoward incident may be avoided in the future.
Meanwhile, Executive Engineer R&B division Bandipora, Abdul Qayoom told KNT that the bridge is part of the project which is in a languishing state right now due to the non-availability of funds.
He said they had already uploaded the bills of the same project some 6 months back but the finance department has failed to clear them, adding that he has already taken up the matter with higher-ups and is hopeful that the decision regarding the same will come out in next two days.
When KNT brought the matter into the notice of Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Dr. Owais Ahmad said that funds for the project are very well available and are being released from time to time on the basis of work done liability.
He said that the heavy sudden waterflow and flash floods on several occasions have caused delay in the construction work of the said bridge .
“I have already taken review of the project and hopefully within the coming 20-30 days the bridge will be completed,” DC Bandipora assured people. (KNT)
