By: Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar: Despite the passing of nine years, Noorbagh-Qamarwari Bridge here in Srinagar is yet to be completed.
The work on Noorbagh-Qamarwari Bridge was started in 2013. The project was scheduled to be completed in four years. However, the project has been facing inordinate delay.
The project is being executed by Roads and Buildings department Kashmir. Noorbagh-Qamarwari Bridge popularly known as the “Cement Bridge” has historical importance in the Valley as it was the first bridge over the river Jhelum, which was constructed in concrete.
Notably, the bridge is an important link as it connects the Old City, Soura and other areas with North Kashmir.
Sources said that over the years the construction was stopped as there were several reasons behind the stoppage of the work and that it took long to remove the bottlenecks.
Shabir Ahmad, a local, said that the local population from both sides of river Jhelum extended their cooperation to authorities for completion of the work.
“Work on this bridge is going on at snail’s pace,” he said. The ongoing project has already missed several deadlines. Initially it was scheduled to be completed in 2014. Later, the deadline was extended upto March 2017 and then upto December 2018.
“It has become a routine for authorities to initiate a project, construct some pillars or plinths and then leave it half-way,” a local said.
The locals urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to direct concerned authorities to ensure completion of the bridge without further delay.
One of the officials here in the R&B said that they were expecting that the bridge will be completed soon. “There were several issues, which took a long time to be rectified. 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 a congested place, thus simultaneously witnessing frequent traffic mess. (KINS)
