Shahabad residents demand bridge

Shahabad, Jan 4 : Residents of Shahabad in this frontier district are up in arms against the government for failing to construct a bridge over Warnow Nallah as five persons have drowned in the Nallah during past three years.

 Locals told Greater Kashmir two wooden planks placed on Warnow Nallah at Shahabad have become a death trap. “Five persons have died after falling into the gushing waters on the same spot,” they added.

 This temporary crossing poses a grave threat to the residents. “At least 1000 villagers of hamlets like Warnow, Shahabad, and Mushakjal daily use these wood planks to cross this dangerous stream emanating from the snow-covered mountain peaks of Lolab,” they said.

 “In absence of the bridge residents including children, women and elderly people are forced to walk over these slippery wooden planks. These planks are in awfully bad condition and become dangerous and slippery during winter and rainy season. We are more concerned about the safety of our children who use these wooden planks daily to go to reach their educational institution, shops and bus stand which is located on the other side of the Nallah" said Javid Masoodi, a resident.

 Locals said successive regimes have failed to construct the bridge though R&B department constructed a fair weather road in 2009 for the village but left it unconnected in absence of a bridge.

 “In 2009 Moulana Anzar Shah Kashmiri, son of great Islamic scholar Moulana Anwar Shah (RA) Kashmiri visited his native village Shahabad while crossing the planks slipped. Villagers had to carry him on their shoulders in absence of a bridge,” they added.

 “Non availability of this vital bridge is causing immense hardships to the inhabitants, living on the either sides of the Nallah. The native village of Moulana Anwar Shah Kashmir (RA) has been thrown into backwardness and embarrassment,” said the disgruntled residents

 When contacted Muhammad Shafi Bhat, Executive Engineer, Roads and Building department Kupwara told Greater Kashmir that “To connect Shahabad with Mushakjal we have made a comprehensive project of construction of a bridge under state sector which would cost around Rs 87 lakhs. Project has been sent to the government for approval.”

Ends
SA/EN