Authorities continue to delay construction of Wayil bridge despite funding by World Bank

RAJA SYED RATHER

GANDERBAL(PTK):-The authorities seem to have slept over the issue of construction of vital bridge over Nallah Sindh as they continue to delay it’s construction work, causing a lot of inconvenience to daily commuters.

The authorities are yet to start the construction work even as the World Bank last sanctioned Rs 23 crore for it’s construction under Jammu Tawi Flood Reconstruction Project (JTFRJTFRP).

Locals Told Press Trust  of Kashmir that the construction work was started in November last year which included excavation and dismantling of the old abutments of Wayil bridge, however, the work was left mid-way.

The vital bridge connects Srinagar with Ladakh and it’s presently single lane bailey bridge which often witnesses huge traffic jams.

“The frequent and long traffic jams cause a lot of inconvenience to daily commuters.

Yet the authorities are sitting over the issue as they have failed to start it’s construction, ” locals said.

This bridge was constructed more than two decades ago by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) after the wooden bridge got damaged in floods in 1992.

This bridge is being used by tourists to visit several famous tourist and pilgrim destinations including Sonamarg, Naranag and Amarnath Shrine situated in different areas of this district.

The locals appealed the authorities to start the construction of the new bridge.

Although the R&B department has been tasked to construct a two-lane steel truss bridge funded by the World Bank, they have so far failed to start the construction work for reasons known to them.

When contacted DC Ganderbal he said they have submitted the design of the bridge to authorities for approval.

“Later the design will be submitted to the World Bank for approval and only then the construction work would start,” he said.(PTK)