Gandbal residents decry slow progress on vital footbridge after loss of six lives

Srinagar, May 30: Despite the tragic loss of six lives due to the non-availability of a footbridge in the Gandbal area of Batwara in Srinagar, residents have alleged that there has been minimal progress on this vital bridge.
The locals claim the administration is waiting for another tragedy.
Residents stated that work on this bridge was initiated a long time ago. Although some portions were completed, the project was left unattended until the recent tragedy, which claimed six innocent lives. Irate residents reported that only a few workers work on this essential bridge.
Ghulam Mohammad told Rising Kashmir, “After the tragedy last month, every official who visited the spot assured us the bridge would be completed in no time. But their claims seem hollow,” he said, adding that the work on this bridge is progressing very slowly.
Chief Engineer of the R&B Department, Central Kashmir, Sajad Naqeed, said they have set the deadline for the bridge’s completion by the end of June. He stated that the work on this bridge is ongoing and will be completed within the issued deadline. When asked about the slow progress, he responded, “This is a footbridge, and we have allocated the necessary labour for its construction.”
The officer mentioned that by the first week of July, the bridge would be open to the public, adding that they have already set the deadline and will complete the work on time.
It is noteworthy that in early April, a boat carrying 15 people sank, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, including some minors. One person is still missing. Locals claimed the incident occurred because no bridge was available in the locality, forcing people to risk their lives to cross the fast-flowing river.
The residents of this area are still haunted by the unfortunate incident that occurred in April and are praying that no such tragedy will be repeated in their locality.