By: Mukhtar Dar
Budgam, Sep 29: Scores of villagers in Budgam district are up in arms against the authorities for failing to construct a vital bridge over Ahhij stream at Wacho village of Khanshab Tehsil which would connect dozens of villages here.
The local residents of Wachoo, Zagbula, Khospora, Dangerpora and Rawalpora told Kashmir Images that the solo bridge which would connect scores of villages here is pending from decades. “People are compelled to travel by foot over a crumbling cement footbridge to reach their respective destinations,” they added.
“During medical emergencies, we are supposed to take patients on shoulders in order to reach the main road,” said locals of Khospora village adding the claims of government that it is prioritizing village to village road connectivity are falling flat here.
Firdous Nabi, a social activist said, “The dilapidated footbridge was constructed by the irrigation department two decades before. Soon after its construction the bridge got damaged.
“We brought the issue in the notice of Roads and Building (R&B) department Budgam several times and have also apprised the concerned MLA and MLC about the same but to no avail,” Firdous added.
After witnessing the lackadaisical approach of concerned department and local MLA with regard to the issue, Firdous said that he has registered a grievance with Governor Grievance cell which has been already forwarded to Chief Engineer R&B Budgam for redressal, but nothing has happened so far.
Locals here said, “The Bridge is capable of establishing shortest route to Doodhpathri, the famous tourist destination in Budgam.”
When contacted Exn R&B department, Budgam he said, “Send me all the details regarding your query via a text message and I will forward you the information pertaining the issue.”
Despite repeated messages by this reporter, the R&B officer didn’t reply.
While his Junior Assistant Executive Engineer R&B, Khansaheb could not be contacted for comments.
Meanwhile, locals requested DC Budgam to intervene and solve the long pending issue of road connectivity being faced by the dozens of villages in Budgam.
