Baramulla’s Jetty bridge is awaiting completion even after 21 years of its construction.
The construction work on this bridge at Khawajabagh was initiated in 2002.
Locals said that the construction work of Jetty bridge is going on at a snail’s pace for years, resulting in inconvenience to the public of Kupwara, Handwara, Rafiabad, and Baramulla, Khawaja Bagh areas.
“It seems that the project has gone out of sight of the government and the district administration. Nobody is bothered about its completion despite the passage of two decades,” said Manzoora Ahmad, a local resident of Baramulla.
“We have to cover a long distance to reach other areas. The bridge, if constructed, will shorten our distance,” he said. Adding that the construction work faced frequent interruptions right from the beginning in 2002.
The residents were excited over the announcement of the Jetty Bridge’s construction as it would ease the travel schedule.
“This bridge would shorten the distance between Janbazpora and Chakloo areas which are situated on the other side of River Jhelum. In absence of this bridge, we have to take a longer route and travel through the main town to reach Rafiabad,” locals said.
The bridge would connect Khawaja Bagh with the Janbazpora and the Chakloo area of Rafiabad and would serve as an alternate route for traffic between Baramulla and Kupwara.
The facility would also curtail the travel time.
As per residents of the area, the work on the bridge is moving at a snail’s pace and they have to face great difficulties in absence of the bridge. “We were thrilled with the coming of the facility, but looking at the pace of work I don’t think I will see its completion in my lifetime,” Abrar Ahmad, a local resident said.
Meanwhile, the residents of the area have urged authorities to intervene in the matter as soon as possible.
