Early Times Newspaper Jammu
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SRTC bridge damaged in 2014 floods awaits completion
Baramulla residents register protest
S Tahir-ul Haq

Early Times Report

BARAMULLA, Apr 16: Despite repeated assurances, the government has failed to construct SRTC bridge in Old Town of Baramulla district that collapsed during 2014 floods. Various areas that get connected via Old Town in Baramulla district staged peaceful protest today against the concerned authorities for their failure to construct SRTC Bridge. An amalgam of various trade bodies including Traders Union Welfare Committee Iqbal market Old Town Baramulla today staged protest against the authorities especially R&B who have failed to construct a bridge so that the cut off areas would have got connected with rest of the Baramulla district. Abdul Hamid Gojery President Old Town Baramulla Traders Union (OTBTU) said the bridge was damaged in 2014 floods in Kashmir.
The district administration had promised to work on the bridge on priority basis but it has not been completed yet, said President OTBTU.
Today shopkeepers of the Old Town Baramulla closed their shops and registered protest against the concerned authorities for stopping the construction work on the bridge, said General Secretary of the union Isfaq Nabi.
He said that, SRTC Bridge is one of the main and historical bridges of Baramulla which connects old town with civil lines and Baramulla market, adding the bridge was damaged in 2014 floods, but the government has failed to reconstruct it.
Local said that, the bridge is located near fish market that connects dozens of villages including old town Baramulla with rest of the district.
This bridge was built in early 40's (1938) and was closed by the district administration owing to the damage it suffered during 2014 deluges, locals told Early Times.
They said despite repeated public outcry and assurances from the concerned officials of R&B the repair work on the bridge was not taken up as was expected only one or two pillars were constructed, adding the previous government failed to repair this Bridge over river Jhelum in Baramulla town.
Last year the concerned authorities of Roads and Building (R&B) department had temporarily built Pontoon Bridge here as an alternative, which got also damaged due to flow of gushing water, said locals.