Decade-long delay in completion of vital bridge frustrates Pulwama locals

PULWAMA — Despite elapsing 10 years, a vital bridge on Romshi rivulet in Rahmoo village of Pulwama district is awaiting completion, thereby leaving the locals to lurch at large.

Locals from Rahmoo area told the news agency KNO that the Romshi bridge was washed out during the 2014 floods and since then people of this area have been facing hardships as authorities have failed to complete this bridge.

Javid Ahmad, a local resident, said that this bridge connects Pulwama district with neighbouring Budgam district and is of vital importance but most of the time, the work on the bridge remains on halt due to which it is incomplete for the last 10 years.

He said that many bridges, which were approved after the 2014 floods, have been completed but this bridge has been left incomplete due to unknown reasons.

Basharat Ahmad, another local resident, said that this bridge is funded by the World Bank and was taken up by JKPCC nine years back and work was started accordingly, however, authorities are yet to complete it due to which locals continue to face difficulties.

He said that the bridge connects Pulwama with Budgam district and work on the bridge is going at a snail’s pace due to which it is taking so much time.

Locals said that whenever they take up the issue with the higher-ups or highlight it through media, the work on the bridge is started again for a few days and then again put on halt. They said work on the bridge should be started with apace and be completed at the earliest.

Locals said that due to the efforts of District Magistrate Pulwama, most of the work has been already completed but it has been put on halt again. They requested concerned authorities, especially the Deputy Commissioner to look into the matter and complete this project at the earliest so that locals can heave a sigh of relief.

Pertinently, the bridge at Rahmoo is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 21.5 crore.

Meanwhile, an official said that the work will resume and the bridge will be completed very soon.