Under-construction suspension footbridge collapses in Sumbal, 2 injured

Sumbal, May 06: An under-construction suspension footbridge, which was supposed to connect Shadipora village of Sumbal division in Bandipora to Ganderbal village, collapsed last night, injuring two boatmen.

Hilal Ahmad, a local resident, told Greater Kashmir that the bridge gave way at around 11 pm after the executing agency laid iron sheets on it.

“The construction had started around 2014 but was soon abandoned. For the last five months, the work was happening rapidly. However at around 10.45 pm on Monday, the bridge collapsed,” Hilal said.

The locals said had the incident occurred during the day, it could have resulted in a "tragedy", as many residents and schoolchildren use the route under the bridge to cross the Jhelum via boats.

Wani, a local alleged that massive sand extraction was also to blame for the incident, as several boats loaded with sand were tied to the bridge, putting excess strain on it.

He claimed Bandipora Deputy Commissioner’s orders had been strict against extraction activities near the bridge, but alleged that the Ganderbal administration had issued royalty permissions for sand extraction from the spot.

Ghulam Qadir Dar, another resident, said loud noises were heard from around 10 pm, followed soon after by "cries for help". He said villagers, including himself rushed to the spot and rescued two injured boatmen, who were later shifted to JVC Hospital in Srinagar.

Locals said the injured are stable and out of danger.

They also blamed the executing agency for not sending engineers to inspect the site before laying iron sheets on the bridge on Monday.

“Yesterday, workers installed several iron sheets from the Shadipora side,” Qadir added, suggesting this created an imbalance. He alleged not even the concerned contractor was present on the occasion to check if the cables needed to be tightened.

When contacted, Mushtaq Ahmad, Executive Engineer R&B Division Sumbal, told Greater Kashmir that reports of a bridge collapse were “not accurate,” and clarified that R&B had involved SICOP to execute the project, while R&B was not directly involved.

“There has been no handover or takeover,” he said.

“We can’t say the bridge has collapsed if a worker accidentally slips the rope out of his hand,” he added by way of example.

He further suggested, as conveyed to them by SICOP, that “heavy loaded boats” tied to the bridge caused the incident.

“The ropes have fallen loose but the bridge has not been damaged and remains in its place,” the Executive Engineer said.