Wathora (Budgam), Dec 13: Despite assurances from engineers to the Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather that the Wathora Bridge on Srinagar-Chadoora road would be commissioned in November, the construction on the structure is still going on at snail’s pace.
 According to locals, few months back, Rahim Rather reviewed pace of work on Srinagar–Chadoora – Chrar-e-Sharief road project and was assured by the concerned engineers that the new Bridge at Wathora shall be thrown open for traffic in November month this year. “The Minister asked the engineers of R&B to remove encroachments if any coming in the way of road widening,” the locals said.
 However, the assurance of the engineers to the Minister proved to be a mere hoax with the construction on the vital communication link still going on. “The engineers have hoodwinked the minister and haven’t been able to complete the bridge construction as promised,” the residents said. “When the minister was deluded, what would be the plight of masses,” the locals questioned.  
 According to them, the inordinate delay in the completion of Wathora Bridge is causing immense inconvenience to the people. 
 The construction of the bridge, which is part of Rs 35 crore Natipora- Chadoora- Chrar-e-Sharief Project was taken up by the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) nearly two years ago.
 Officials said 20 percent of the Bridge work is still incomplete. “In winter, it is impossible to do concrete work on the bridge. Despite assurances, work on the bridge is too slow causing immense problems to us,” said Bashir Ahmad a local.
 Pertinently, due to incompletion of the bridge, people especially patients have to travel through the longer distance via Bugam-Wathora road which is three kilometers more than the normal distance.
 The residents have appealed to the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, Finance Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather and MLA, Javaid Mustaffa Mir to take steps for completing construction of the bridge before snowfall.
Compiled by: R M Bhat

Lastupdate on : Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST