Handwara, Aug 17: Despite the passage of several years and repeated assurances, the vital bridge over Nallah Mawar at Batagund, Mawer Handwara remains a non-starter. The bridge was damaged due to flash floods in the area long back, leaving residents in a precarious situation as they are forced to cross the Nalhah Mawar, putting their lives at risk.
Residents have expressed their frustration, saying the administration has failed to fully reconstruct the bridge. “Although work on the bridge had commenced long ago, it remains incomplete, causing continued hardships,” they said.
The locals fear that crossing the Nallah could lead to drowning, especially during times of increased water flow. “We have protested in the past, and the administration assured us that the bridge would be completed soon. However, the work has been left unfinished, and we continue to suffer,” said a resident.
According to officials from the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department, the work on the bridge is ongoing and is expected to take another month to complete.
They acknowledged that there were issues that led to the delay in construction but assured that the bridge would be operational within a month.
However, locals have accused the contractor of working at a slow pace and even diverting construction materials to other sites. They believe that if the contractor had worked diligently, the bridge would have been completed by now.
Tariq Ahmad Wani, a resident of the area, highlighted the severe impact of the incomplete bridge on the locality. “There are around 30 villages that remain disconnected, forcing people to take long detours to reach their respective destinations. Students and patients are the worst affected by this situation,” he said.
The residents have appealed to the administration to expedite the construction and ensure that the bridge is completed at the earliest, alleviating their ongoing suffering.
