Srinagar, Mar 12: Finally, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation on Monday flexed its muscles to roll out bulldozers, which cleared the enchaorchments coming up in the form of shop line on historic Zaina Kadal bridge in Shaher-e-Khaas.
 In the afternoon, a demolition squad of the SMC equipped with bulldozers and load carriers rushed to the bridge where Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation was constructing shops, a work allotted to the JKPCC by the Roads and Building (R&B) department.
 In no time, the dozers swung to action and got the encroachments razed to the ground.
 But the action didn’t end there. Thereafter, the demolition squad was seen clearing the debris from the historic bridge and the same was taken away in trucks leaving the bridge clear for public movement.
 
ACTION POST LETTER
 Last week, the SMC had shot a letter to the R&B people directing them to stop the construction work on Zaina Kadal bridge as they had no formal approval for the work.
 The SMC’s Joint Commissioner Planning, Farzana Naqshbandi vide a letter to Executive Engineer, Circular Road had asked them to stop the work.
 “The bridge is a public access and no construction can be permitted on it. Moreover, such activity shall adversely affect the mega water supply line feeding around thousands of consumers and will also create problems for vehicular traffic and public movement,” the Joint Commissioner said.
 “In view of the mandate of law, you are requested to stop the construction forthwith. It is necessary to mention that Under Section, 13 of J&K Development Act, any construction which is either to be raised by individual or by different Government departments including Semi Government departments need to approach Building Operation Controlling Authority (BOCA),” the official observed.
 
OFFICIALS SPEAK
 When contacted the SMC, Commissioner Dr GN Qasba downplayed the matter saying there was “nothing unusual” about the Zaina Kadal demolition.
 “The constructions which come up without any formal permission are bound to be demolished… So there’s nothing usual. All I can say is that Zaina Kadal bridge has been rededicated to public,” Dr Qasba said.
 Prompted by the Greater Kashmir reports on Zaina Kadal’s alleged vandalization, the Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand had last week assured that no indiscipline would be tolerated and that the historicity of the bridge would be maintained. He is understood to have directed the SMC to use its teeth.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Mar 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 IST