Kupwara, April 16 (KNS): Flash floods triggered by continuous rains have damaged materials and machinery worth crores deployed at the under-construction site of the Government Medical College in Handwara, North Kashmir's Kupwara.
According to reports, the flash floods, triggered by heavy rains, submerged tools, materials, and heavy machinery worth crores at the under-construction site of GMC Handwara.
An official confirmed that the entire premises of the under-construction site of GMC Handwara in Chogal area are flooded, and the machinery and materials of the contractor have been badly damaged.
He added that work was progressing at full swing, but due to the flash floods, existing construction work also suffered damages.
Last year, too, construction work suffered damages and was hampered due to flash floods, he also said.
"We then brought the matter to the attention of higher authorities and requested a report on the feasibility of continuing construction at GMC Handwara," he added.
"As of now, an investment of around Rs 14 crores has been spent on the construction. However, we are awaiting a response from higher authorities," he added.
The contractor, Mushtaq Ahmad, engaged in the construction, said that his machinery and materials worth around Rs 16 crores suffered damages due to flash floods.
"I have deployed huge machinery on the spot, including mobile plants, concrete plants, JCBs, timber, shattering equipment, generators, concrete pumps, and other heavy machinery," he said.
"The temporary office and accommodations for our workers were badly damaged due to the flood. We have no idea what to do," he also said.
When asked about restarting the work, he said; " The flash flood was so sudden that we couldn't save anything except the lives of laborers and other staff."
"We have deployed sophisticated, costly machinery at the site, and it is highly time-consuming and expensive to repair some of the machines because all machinery is modern. However, we will try to start our construction work as soon as possible. We will resume work immediately after the situation improves," he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that no human loss was reported in the incident.
When KNS contacted Secretary Health & medical education, Abid Rasheed Shah, he said, "I will look into the matter." (KNS)