Tral, Aug 14: The inhabitants of Tral have urged the authorities in Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) to complete the construction of the bridge at Nawdhal.
The bridge according to them is of vital importance and connects, Tral with Awantipora and Srinagar.
“The bridge suffered extensive damages after it was submerged in November 2005 by floods and a diversion was later created for plying of vehicles. However, the diversion also got damaged during the year 2007,” the locals told Greater Kashmir.
“The passenger vehicles and private cars are forced to cover a large distance to reach Awantipora due to the absence of the bridge. The people of the area especially the students of dozens villages residing on the both the sides of the bridge are suffering due to the absence of this vital communication link,” the locals added.
“Due to the bridge damage, the villages Soinaar, Gutangoo and Jawaharpora, Aripal and Gar Gani Gund where disconnected with each other,” Aijaz Ahmad Dar a resident told Greater Kashmir.
The locals said that a new bridge was sanctioned, which was to be completed by the executing agency Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation at an estimated cost of Rs 179 crore. “However, after starting the construction on the project, it was stopped due to the reason best known to the Corporation officials,” the locals said, adding the work has been resumed again, but is going on at snail’s pace.
 “If the work continues at the same pace, it will take years to finish the project,” the locals rued.
The residents urged the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon to direct the executing agency to expedite the work on the project at an earliest.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 14 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 14 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 15 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST