Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 30: Opened without any protection wall along embankment of the Tawi river, a portion of downstream wall of the fourth Tawi bridge has reportedly damaged due to recent flood.
According to sources the bridge was scheduled to be reopened on August 15, but due to damage on downstream, the restoration works would take atleast two weeks more.
"Restoration works was in full swing, but unfortunately, prior to its reopening a portion retaining wall, washed away", sources said, adding that due to recent flood, the site where restoration works were going on received major damage.
Insider told Early Times that the bridge was opened for traffic with raising protection walls on the embankment of the River Tawi. "Making Mockery of standard procedure, and to appease, the then Chief Minister, JKPCC had opened fourth without completing protection works along embankment of Tawi river, which is continuously damaging the bridge", sources said, adding though, the JKPCC got approval from state government for construction of protection walls, and work is going on.
"State government approved the work in February 2016, and works had been commenced in May", sources said, adding that but unfortunately, meanwhile a portion washed away.
"Damage in June this occurred, in absence of protection works. Works on up-streaming side has been completed, and works on down-streaming is going on", sources said, adding that due monsoon and frequent flood in the River, is hampering the ongoing works.
It is pertinent to mention here that vital fourth Tawi bridge, constructed in 2013 has been damaged twice in two years.
The bridge was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, on May 17, 2013. It was constructed at a cost of Rs 147 crore, in two separate sections on Nikki and Baddi Tawi near Tawi Island with total length of 750 meters.
The bridge provided relief to the people from traffic congestion problem at Jewel Chowk, Bikram Chowk and Dogra Crossing besides the ever busy Canal Road. The vehicular traffic from Pathankot side towards Akhnoor, Rajouri and Poonch was opened via old Ware House and Bhagwati Nagar, and it had minimized traffic at Jewel crossing and Canal Road.
Since the bridge got damaged commuters on Jewel-Talab Tillo road are facing frequent jamming on canal roads. |
