Bhat Zahoor

Sumbal, June 20 (KNS): The government has failed to construct the foot bridge on river Jhelum at Sumbal in Bandipora district, despite the work commissioned three years ago.
The foundation of the bridge was laid by MLA Sonawari and former Higher Education minister, Muhammad Akbar Lone, in NC-led Congress government in January 2014.
As per KNS correspondent, the work was started over the bridge in 2015 but only after a single pillar was raised and the work was stopped, with officials citing paucity of funds.
The foot bridge will replace vehicular bridge, which had collapsed some ten years ago. The bridge was declared unsafe for vehicles and only pedestrians were allowed to walk on it. However, the in 2013 the bridge got collapsed completely.
The vital bridge connects Sumbal with Safapora and Nesbal areas in the district.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Residents in the area said that they are facing great difficulties in traveling because of the absence of any connectivity on Jhelum.
An Officials in R &B told KNS that the total cost to be spend over the bridge is Rs 3 crores and 41 lakhs.
“However, from three years only Rs 82 lakhs have been spent on nits construction,” the official said.
“It clearly shows that the government is in deep slumber and is not serious to construct the bridge,” the locals told KNS.
Executive Engineer R& B, Sumbal, Javid Iqbal said that due to unavailability of funds construction of the bridge has been stopped.
“We have pressed with the authorities concerned for the release of funds. We hope the bridge will be completed this year,” Iqbal told KNS.
Traders led by Chinar Traders Association Sumbal are anguished with the government for not releasing funds for its construction.
The traders Association threatened strike if work on the bridge is not resumed. (KNS)