Absence of proper bridge in Bandipora village causes hardships to people

Bandipora, Sep 22: The Kanibathi villagers in Aloosa Tehsil of north Kashmir's Bandipora district are suffering due to a lack of a proper bridge.

Villagers told Greater Kashmir that the existing bridge-cum-culvert on the Zaingeer Canal, built over three decades ago, is dilapidated, unsafe for pedestrians, and inaccessible to commuters.

"I believe the culvert was built in 1980, and it has become unsafe for commuters over the years," said Irfan Ahamd, a village resident.

The villagers are especially concerned because children use this culvert to get to the middle school across the canal.

"This is the route children take to school, but the dilapidated condition and extremely narrow space make it dangerous. Furthermore, it lacks side railings," Ahmad added.

Another villager stated that the residents have land, orchards, and properties on the other side, but that the culvert is inaccessible for vehicles, making it difficult to transport materials.

"If we had been given a proper bridge, it would have saved us a lot of trouble," Shabir Ahmad, another villager, said.

The villagers complained that their demand has fallen on deaf ears over the years.