DEATHS IN BOAT CAPSIZE | Work resumes on Gandbal bridge amid public outcry over delay

Srinagar, Apr 23:  Following the public outcry over the delay in the construction of a bridge at Gandbal that the locals blamed resulted in the death of 6 people with 3 others remaining missing after April 16 boat capsize, authorities have resumed the work and are set to complete the project  by June this year.

Chief Engineer Roads and Buildings (R&B), Sajad Ahmad Naqeeb, said that the work which was suspended after the tragic incident on April 16 has now been resumed. He said that the project would be completed by June this year and they have ample funds for the work.

The project, he said, has been expanded from a footbridge to a motorable span with its width nearly going double than the initial project that was started in 2016. “ The bridge has increased in width from 1.8 metre to 4.4 metre,” he told Greater Kashmir.

This newspaper was the first to report the delay in the construction of the bridge with the locals blaming that while the government showed swiftness in installing the smart meters, it didn’t complete the bridge in time. Naqeeb however said that the project had no "administrative and technical approval" after it was started. He said that the work "would be completed by June and from a footbridge it is now a motorable one.”

He also added that the initial cost of the project, when it was conceptualised in 2016, has increased now to nearly Rs 4.76 crore. As of now nearly Rs 3.15 crore has been spent on the project and the R&B department hopes to spend the remaining amount in the next two months. According to officials the work on the bridge would be speeded up . “We have the authorisation of funds for the project,” said Naqeeb.

Local residents said that the project was vital for the area which is inhabited by over 400 families as the bridge is the only connectivity across the river to the place which depends on other city localities for basic amenities including the healthcare facilities. After the suspension of the boat service following the capsize, the people have to walk several kilometres to even get essential commodities from nearby areas.

Local residents said that the project was vital and can enhance access to the area that is largely inhabited by people doing menial jobs, adding that even as Gandbal was only a few kilometers away from commercial hub Lal Chowk, it was kept deprived of basic facilities.