Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Apr 16: The delay in construction of the bridge at Gandabal area of Batwara might have not caught the eyes of people so far, but today its absence left the entire Kashmir in shock after a boat capsized and left six people including a mother and her two sons dead on Tuesday morning.
The pall of gloom descended the entire Kashmir after a boat capsized this morning. Six persons have died while three as per the government are undergoing treatment as many are still missing.
The locals lamented the absence of a bridge within the locality, saying that work was started almost a decade ago, but unfortunately the work was never completed till now, causing huge inconvenience to the inhabitants here.
“Despite elapsing over a decade, the construction of the bridge is still in the initial stage, which shows the people have been taken for granted so far. We could only show our anger, but the fact is our pleas and requests fell on deaf ears during these years,” Ali Muhammad, a local resident said with tears in his eyes, wailing over the loss of precious lives in the locality.
“One cannot imagine the lethargy the concerned authorities have shown so far. Today’s mayhem could have been avoided in case the bridge would have been constructed on time,” he said, adding that the high and tall claims being made by the administration today would serve no cause, but the construction of the bridge and completing in within the shortest possible time would certainly end the miseries of the people.
Sajad Ahmad Naqeeb, Chief Engineer, Roads and Building (R&B) department when contacted said that the delay in construction was due to some technical issues.
“Some technical issues have led to the delay in construction of the work. Besides, the delay in getting the funds released also played a spoilsport,” he said, adding that as soon as the water level recedes, the work will be started again and will be completed by June this year.
