New Delhi, July 31: Former MLA and senior BJP leader Balwant Singh Mankotia on Monday called on the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari at New Delhi here and raised various issues regarding the road connectivity of Udhampur and adjoining areas.
He also submitted a detailed memorandum and apprised the union minister that the existing old Salmeh Bridge in Udhampur has been declared unsafe for use, and this has resulted in the complete disconnection of 25 Panchayats of around seventy thousand population.
“This disruption in connectivity has been ongoing for the past month, leading to severe hardships for the residents, hindering economic activities, and posing significant safety risks. The population of Ghordi Barmeen, which depends on the bridge for daily commutes and transportation of goods, is now facing immense challenges due to the lack of a safe passage,” he said.
The former MLA expressed his deep concern and said that emergency services like fire brigade, ambulances, and school buses are also significantly affected by this disconnection, putting lives at risk during critical situations.
In light of these circumstances, Mankotia requested the union minister’s support and early intervention in allocating special funds for the construction of a new bridge at Tawi, Salmeh.
“This vital infrastructure project would not only restore seamless connectivity for the affected population but also foster economic growth and social development in the region,” he added.
Besides this, Mankotia also demanded a service road from Tikri to Jakhani National Highway stretch for locals as they are forced to suffer during long traffic jams. He also discussed the ongoing construction of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and requested early completion.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari gave a patient hearing to all the issues and assured him of early necessary action, Mankotia said.
