By: Mubashir Aalam Wani
Srinagar, Mar 25:After missing several deadlines in the past nearly one decade, the much-awaited Noorbagh-Qamarwari Bridge is all set to be completed by the end of this year.
Noorbagh-Qamarwari Bridge popularly known as “Cement Bridge” has historical importance in the Valley as it was the first bridge over the river Jhelum, which was constructed in concrete.
However, the present bridge at the place, as per the commuters has been giving tough times to them as the bridge is almost completely damaged. “The pivotal bridge has developed huge potholes, thus simultaneously not only affect the passage of the vehicular movement, but also damaging the vehicles as well,” the commuters said.
Notably, the bridge is an important link as it connects the Old City, Soura and other areas with North Kashmir.
The construction of the new bridge was started in the year 2011, but in the last nearly one decade, it missed several deadlines, sources said, adding that most of the time, the construction was stopped as there were several reasons behind the stoppage of the work and that took long to remove the bottlenecks.
Initially, the bridge was scheduled to be completed in the year 2014. Later, the deadline was extended upto March 2017 and then upto December 2018.
Chief Engineer, Roads and Building department, Er Showkat Jeelani Pandith said it is expected that the bridge is completed by the end of this year (2021).
“There were several issues, which took long to be rectified,” he said, adding that the land issue was among the main bottlenecks that halted the work for a longer period.
“Many structures are to be removed and we are already on it,” he said.
Pertinently, the area where the bridge is being constructed is the congested place, thus simultaneously witness frequent traffic mess—(KNO)