Bhalla criticises admin over ‘negligence’ leading to death of boy

Jammu, Apr 30: Raman Bhalla, the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Working President and the party’s candidate for the Jammu-Reasi Parliamentary seat, on Tuesday joined the locals protesting against the authorities and contractors for the delayed construction of a bridge, which tragically resulted in the drowning of a young boy. He demanded suitable compensation for the family of the deceased, holding the government’s negligence responsible for the tragedy.
Expressing his dismay, Bhalla criticised Prime Minister Modi for “failing” to address basic amenities in Jammu and Kashmir, despite his promises of development. He said there is a lack of progress in repairing or constructing vital bridges in Lower Gadigarh since they were washed away in floods in 2020, causing immense inconvenience to thousands of villagers.
“Despite temporary measures like placing poles for locals and visitors to cross the Nallah, no significant progress was made due to delays in laying the foundations of the pillars. Tragically, Kaushal Kumar’s death was a grim reminder of the negligence, with previous incidents narrowly avoided,” he said.
The JKPCC leader recounted the repeated protests and pleas by locals for the construction of the bridges, saying there is an urgent need for connectivity and safety measures. The administration has neglected infrastructure projects and failed to utilise important institutions like the SDM office building and hospitals, which remain underutilised, he said.
Asserting Congress’s concern for the safety and well-being of the people, Bhalla pledged to support the affected communities and ensure swift action to address their grievances. He stressed the immediate need for constructing embankments and dredging the Nallahs passing through the affected areas to prevent future tragedies and ensure the free flow of water.