NL Correspondent
Doda, January 5
The dilapidated condition of foot-bridge over massive Chenab River in Prem Nagar area of district Doda is posing a serious risk to the lives of thousands of villagers.
The suspension wooden foot bridge was built in 1966 by Public Works Department (PWD) over massive Chenab River in Prem Nagar but people alleged that its wooden flooring has not been exchanged since long. The bridge has been damaged severely in different earthquakes and need immediate attention.
“If you go down, you will see most of the wood planks supporting the bridge are decaying and need immediate repair. The bridge has been damaged in earthquakes, but government has turned blind eye” Farid Ahmed Naik a local resident said.
“It is crucial mean of connectivity for the people of Dhada, Jatheli, Dongrou, Galona, Mahala and to the people of Gundana Panchyat to provide them connectivity with National highway and if the bridge collapses thousands of villagers will get affected, more importantly ration supply will not reach to them as ponies used this bridge to cross river,” he added.
“The bridge has been hanging in maintenance limbo for long time and we are demanding immediate replacement of the bridge or concerned department should change its wooden flooring for the sake of precious lives.” another villager said.
Executive Engineer, Public Works Department-Kishtwar, Mahinder Shan said, “Minor replacement has been done on bridge last year, but it's an old bridge which needs full replacement. So far we have no plans of its replacement or repair.”
