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| In Governor's rule, admin allows construction of 'illegal' bridge | | Concerned seek Raj Bhawan intervention, demand probe | | Early Times Report
srinagar, Dec 20: In brazen violation of the norms, a bridge is being "illegally" constructed on flood channel in Rawalpora area of Srinagar thereby making the area more vulnerable to floods.
Officials sources said the office Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control Department has been maintaining a "criminal silence" over the "illegal" construction of the bridge on which crores of rupees have already been spent.
An engineer who works in the IFCD chief engineer's office said the contractor who is executing the work was "hand in glove" with some engineers and politicians who have been silent on the work.
This is the second such bridge being constructed on the spill channel in less than a kilometer to have been constructed in the last three years.
"The construction of the bridge needed permission from the IFCD as the same is being constructed on the flood spill channel but no such permission has been granted as the same can hinder flow of waters during floods and thus make the entire area on the two sides more flood prone," said one engineer in the department.
Sources said a minister in the previous PDP led government who has vote bank stakes in the area had patronized the work to allegedly benefit "land mafia" on prowl in the area and also to benefit a coterie of contractors.
"The minister had managed to divert funds for this illegal work. This bridge is being constructed only to benefit a section of land mafia which is close to him (PDP) leader as also some contractors," said a source.
He said instead of getting the work stopped, the concerned engineers have been silent on the said issue. "These engineers want to keep the neta ji in good humor and thus have been dancing at his tunes," said a source in the office of engineer IFCD.
Sources said even though the complaint in this regard had come to the notice of the IFCD, no action was taken due to political influence
"The officers told us that now only six months are left to election and thus the government will not take action on such issues," said a complainant on the condition of anonymity.
When contacted the IFCD officials said the concerned chief engineer should be contacted.
Despite repeated attempts the IFCD chief engineer couldn't be contacted for comments.
Meanwhile some officials have sought intervention of Governor SP Malik into the matter so that the construction of such illegally constructed bridges in the area is probed. |
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