Kaloosa (Bandipora), June 7: The Economic Reconstruction Agency Director, O P Dubay has said that the construction of Bridge across Madhumati river in Kaloosa and repair of Sopore- Bandipora road will be completed by September.
 While reviewing the work on the bridge construction and road repairs, Dubay said that both the projects had missed deadlines due to laxity.
 “Though the work on both the projects has been expedited from the last few months, it would take more months to complete these projects.”
 The 29.87 kilometer road between Bandipora and Sopore was to be repaired at an estimated cost of Rs 34.73 Crores and was to be completed within a period of 24-months.
 Similarly ERA is constructing 25x4 Bridge at Kaloosa at an estimated cost of Rs 4 crore over the River which was to be completed by December 2011.
 ERA has expedited the work on the bridge and four columns of the vital communication link has been erected while as nine Kilometers of Sopore-Bandipora road have been macadamized.
 Sources told Greater Kashmir that ERA has penalized the contractors for delay in the completion of the Bridge construction.

KALOOSA BRIDGE BACKGROUND
 The Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) started the work on this prestigious project in July 2008.
 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.
 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 were dashed due to the halting of construction work,” locals said.
 The project is being funded by Asian Development Bank through state government’s Economic Reconstruction Agency.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 7 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 7 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 8 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST