Lack of footbridge near Children’s Hospital poses risk of accidents

Srinagar, Sep 22: The inordinate delay in the construction of a footbridge near Children’s Hospital at Bemina locality here is taking a heavy toll on attendants and patients.

The spot outside the hospital has become accident-prone in absence of a foot over bridge. Earlier this year, two persons died after being hit by an ambulance at the spot. The attendants said that have narrow escapes daily while crossing the busy By-Pass road amid lack of a footbridge.

“I often come for treatment of my child to this hospital. We are always scared to cross the road due to speeding vehicles. Given that the hospital deals with the children makes it is even more important in the context of safety to construct footbridge. We hope that the footbridge project will be completed soon so that attendants and patients can have a sigh of relief,” said Altaf Ahmad, an attendant at the hospital.

The authorities have finally woken up to the issue of lack of a footbridge near the hospital. The locals, especially hospital attendants and patients, have been decrying that they are having a tough time amid the lack of a footbridge at the major hospital.

Officials said that the footbridge is part of a multi-crore project that will be executed by Project Division First of the Roads &Buildings department. “There are multiple projects in the pipeline, and this is one of them, which will make crossing the road safe for pedestrians,” said Technical officer of the division Hilal Ahmad Malla.

Ashaq Ahmad, Executive Engineer, Project Division First, said that the construction of the footbridge at Children’s Hospital is their priority, and they will start the work soon.

“This was the major demand of people, and we will ensure the timely completion of the project. We have already submitted the DPR, and the project is at the approval stage. We will complete the other formalities and start the work without any delay. This will be a durable steel bridge with steps and ramp facility that will help each pedestrian to cross the busy road safely,” Ahmad said.