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| 8 yrs on, Atholi suspension bridge awaits completion | | | Asif Iqbal Naik
Early Times Report
Kishtwar, Mar 24: The lackadaisical approach of the Jammu and Kashmir government in sanctioning of the funds for the construction of proposed foot suspension bridge at Atholi Padder in Kishtwar district connecting Atholi village with Sub Divisional Headquarter Gulabgard Padder could be judged from the fact that out of sanctioned amount of Rs. 455.70 lacs, the executing agency namely Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation (JKPCC) received only half funds in last six years.
As per the details available with "Early Times" previous National Conference-Congress government accorded sanction to construction of 114 meter span foot suspension bridge over river Chandra Bagha connecting two important villages of Padder viz Atholi and Gulbgard of Padder Sub Division, but even after 8 years, JKPCC fails to start the super structure work due to non availability of funds.
This suspension bridge will reduce the distance of approximately 2.5 KM between village Atholi and Gulabgard once constructed.
The locals informed the "Early Times" that only 80% construction of the sub structure (embankments) is completed while no work has been started on super structure due to non seriousness of successive governments in the state. They said that with the construction of this suspension foot bridge, not only the distance between Atholi and Gulabgard will get shorten, but will also held to check the heavy rush of pilgrims during Machail yatra, beside will also provide easy access to the people to hospital and main market. The people urge upon the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to look into the matter for early release of the funds for this prestigious project.
When contacted officials of JKPCC informed that against the sanctioned amount for the project only half has been spent on the project till date.
He said that department expedited the process with regard to release of remaining funds with the higher authorities and hope that the government will release the funds for this project shortly.
He said that in case the government releases the funds on time, the said project will be completed within few months. Earlier the department set ending December 2016 as deadline for completion of the work, however the lack of funds created delay in execution of the said project.
He said that with delay of over 8 years, the cost of the project is likely to go high and hope for revised budget for the same in future. |
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