Kaloosa (Bandipora), Aug 3: The authorities have missed the deadline for the construction of Kaloosa bridge on the river Madhumati here in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district leaving the work midway. 
 The Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) had begun the work on this project on July 2008, and the bridge construction was to be completed by July 31.
 “The people of the area are suffering immensely due to non-availability of the proper communication link,” the residents said.
 After public outcry against the slow pace of work, the construction on the 25x4 span Kaloosa bridge, a vital link to Sopore, Baramulla and Kupwara townships was expedited six months ago. “The construction work was also speeded up after the alternative belly bridge was washed away by the torrential rains,” the residents said adding after that the work continued till three months, but was left midway thereafter.
 “Two to three labourers are working on this mega project and only four base pillars have been erected so far,” a local Ghulam Ahmed lone told Greater Kashmir. “We think if work continued at the present pace it would take another five years to build the bridge,” Lone said.
 After the construction of bridge was taken up, the people in Bandipora were enthused, as the work was started after more than 60 years. “We thought that the bridge construction will bring economic prosperity and development for us. But our hopes have been dashed due to the halting of construction work,” locals said.
 Funded by Asian Development Bank through state government’s Economic Reconstruction Agency, the estimated cost of the bridge was put at Rs 4.40 Crores.
 “Six months ago, the authorities in ERA said the work was suspended because the river-flow was very fast, but now they are blaming the contractors for the suspension of the work,” the locals said adding the ERA had made mockery of these developmental projects.
 The traders and transporters along with locals are now contemplating to move court over the delay in the completion of the bridge. “We have also decided to launch agitation against government if the bridge is not constructed by August 31.The delay in its construction is causing inconvenience to thousands of people and has affected business of the shopkeepers,” Muhammad Ramzan Shaiada told Greater Kashmir.
 Assistant Engineer ERA, Jamsheed Ahmed told Greater Kashmir that the work gets halted as the contractors were not ‘cooperating.’ He said “the contractor working on the project has employed few labourers.” “We have informed the higher ups who have taken serious cognizance of the contractor’s lethargy” 

Lastupdate on : Wed, 3 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 3 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 4 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST