The authorities continue to delay construction of a vital bridge over nallah Sindh here, much to the inconvenience of commuters.
Though the World Bank last year sanctioned the bridge at Rs23 core, under Jammu Tawi Flood Reconstruction Project (JTFRP), at Wayil onSrinagar-Leh national highway, the authorities are yet to start the work.
Locals said in November last year the pre construction workincluding excavation and dismantling of the old abutments of Wayil bridge wasstarted. However the construction work was stooped soon.
At present, the single lane Bailey bridge connects Srinagarwith Ladakh. It often witnesses frequent traffic jams, causing inconvenience tocommuters.
This bridge was constructed more than two decades ago byBorder Roads Organisation (BRO) after the wooden bridge got damaged in floodsin 1992.
Tourists use this bridge to visit several famous tourist andpilgrim destinations including Sonamarg, Naranag and Amarnath Shrine situatedin different areas of this district.
“The Bailey bridge is so narrow that a pedestrian has toreturn if a heavy vehicle is crossing it,” said a local, Showket Ahmed.
The locals appealed the authorities to start construction ofthe new bridge.
An official said Public Works department (R&B) has beentasked to construct two-lane steel truss bridge funded by the World Bank.
Executive Engineer R&B division Ganderbal, Syed SajadAhmed said they have submitted the designing of the bridge to authorities forapproval. “Later the design will be submitted to the World Bank for approvalfollowed by the construction work,” he said.