Kotranka-Khawas road closed for 2nd time as Badhal bridge develops fresh cracks

Rajouri, Nov 18: The main road connecting Khawas tehsil with Kotranka sub division headquarter has been closed for vehicular movement for the second time as an old bridge called Badhal Bridge has developed cracks.

The locals of the area are fumed against Public Works Department for inordinate delay in completion of road project.

The road falling under the control of Public Works Department (PWD) is presently under construction and is being termed as a monumental road which awaits completion from last more than four decades.

A new project for construction of this road was sanctioned in 2015-16 under Central Roads Fund after which work on this project is going on which includes construction of road alongwith five bridges.

One of the bridge included in project is being constructed adjacent to an existing bridge called Badhal bridge and the department has completed the work for new bridge by only 10 to 15 percent.

The vehicles were passing through old bridge which was closed last month due to some damage amid ongoing construction work of new bridge and it was restored after few days of closure. But the bridge was closed for second time on Saturday.

Officials said that on Saturday authorities imposed restriction on movement of vehicles on old Badhal bridge due to which movement of traffic on Kotranka- Khawas road is suspended.

They said that the bridge has been closed by civil administration and police after it developed some cracks due to construction of new bridge in close vicinity.

Meanwhile, locals of the area have expressed strong resentment against Public Works Department for inordinate delay in completion of Khawas road project work of which is going on from last four decades.

Danesh Thakur of the area said that Khawas road is a proof of government's failure to build roads in remote pockets and insensitive approach of successive governments towards this road can be gauged from the fact that the foundation stone of this road project was laid by then chief minister Mehbooba Mufti herself.

He said that people from entire Tehsil Khawas are suffering due to delay in completion of this road but more unfortunate party that the government is least concerned towards plight of masses.