By BASHARAT RASHID
Pulwama : Residents of Patalbagh and other adjoining villages in Pampore area of Pulwama are up in arms against the authorities for failing to construct a bridge over the river Jehlum.
The locals told INS that, “if the bridge will be constructed over river jehlum in between the Patalabagh and Marvell areas, ten to fifteen villages of Pampore will get connected”
They said that the journey of one hour will also turn into minutes for the residents of Patalbagh, Bujbagh, Samboora, Lethpora, Alochibagh, Galander, Karnabal in one side and Khadermoh, Marvell, Sethergund, Ukhoo and Wanpora in another side as it will be the shortcut way for them.
“We use boats to cross the jehlum. During rainy season people find it difficult to cross the river and reach the areas on either side,” said locals.
They said that promises and assurances of successive regimes to construct a bridge over river Jehlum in these Pampore area have proved to be futile till now.
“If concerned authorities had constructed a bridge over river Jehlum connecting the two main areas of Pampore, it would have been a sigh of relief for people. Authorities should take some concrete steps to ensure the construction of bridge here soon,” locals added.
When contacted the Assistant Executive Engineer, Roads and Buildings Department, Pampore-Pulwama, Aashiq Hussain, told INS that, they have prepared a Detail Project Planning (DPR) for the construction of bridge over there, which will be sent to higher authorities for the approval accordingly.