Nine years on, vital bridge in Rahmoo Pulwama awaits completion

PULWAMA — Even after the lapse of nine years, a vital bridge in the Rahmoo village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district is awaiting completion, due to which locals are suffering.

Locals told the news agency KNO that the bridge, on the Romshi rivulet, was washed out during the 2014 floods. “Since then, we have been facing hardships as the authorities have failed to complete its construction,” they said.

Nazir Ahmad, a local, said the bridge connects Pulwama with the neighbouring Budgam district and is of vital importance.

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

According to Nadeem Ahmad, another local, the bridge is funded by the World Bank and was taken up by the Jammu And Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) nine years ago. “The work was started; however, the department is yet to complete it,” he said, adding that the work on the bridge is no way near completion.

The locals said whenever they take up the issue with higher-ups or highlight it through media; the work is started for a few days, and then again put to a halt.

The work on the bridge should be speeded up and completed at the earliest, they said, adding that they have knocked on the doors of every authority but received only assurances.

The bridge is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 21.5 crore.

An official said the release of funds from the World Bank was delayed due to which it took time to complete. “The work has been allotted again and the bridge will be completed soon,” he said.