The Drungli Nallah bridge, which is the main connecting link between Mandi, Chandak, Kalai and Nangali areas with Poonch town, awaits repair since the past five years, after it was partially damaged in flash floods.
At present, a temporary bridging structure attached by the army with the main bridge is facilitating the movement of vehicles.
Details with Greater Kashmir revealed that on September 4, 2014, the bridge received damage in one of the pillars as well it structure due to flash floods. “Since then, the bridge was shut for vehicular traffic and people were forced to move towards Kalai old bridge to reach Poonch, after commuting an extra distance of over 20 kilometres,” the locals said.
After a few weeks of being damaged, the locals said, army laid a temporary bridging structure on the damaged part, restoring movement of vehicles on the bridge. However, the damaged part of the main cemented structure is yet to be repaired.
Mohammad Akram Lone, a resident of Mandi, said, “The bridge is located on Mandi to Poonch road, which is main surface traffic link between Poonch town and a number of areas, including Mandi, Loran, Nangali and Chandak.”
Mohammad Jahangir, a resident of Poonch, said, “It is surprising that such a vital bridge has not been repaired for five years. It seems like the authorities are waiting for an accident.”
On being contacted by Greater Kashmir, deputy commissioner, Poonch, Rahul Yadav, said that bridge falls under the control of GREF. “We have written a letter to the concerned authority to carry out the necessary repair,” he claimed, while assuring that the bridge will be repaired very soon.