Dr. Ab Qayoom

SRINAGAR: In a momentous development for the residents of Village Bakihakar and surrounding areas, the long-awaited approval for the construction of the Village Bakihakar Bridge over Nallah Talri has been granted by the government. This milestone achievement, following a ten-year wait, stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication and relentless efforts of DDC Rajawar Mir Sulaiman.

The demand for the bridge's construction stemmed from the devastating floods of 2014, which left the bridge damaged and severed vital connectivity between the area and sub-district headquarter Handwara. Consequently, residents faced significant challenges in accessing essential services due to restrictions on heavy and loaded vehicles.

The project has been approved under 5054 NABARD (RIDF-XXIX), with a project cost of 12.84 Cr. The construction of a 3×28Mtr Span Truss Girder bridge has been entrusted to Hafiz Construction Company Private Limited through e-tendering, marking a significant step towards addressing the area's infrastructure needs. 

The announcement of the project's approval has sparked jubilation among residents, particularly those in Village Bakihakar, who have eagerly awaited this crucial infrastructure development extending their heartfelt gratitude to the R&B division Handwara, district administration, and to their elected representative, DDC Rajawar Mir Sulaiman, for his steadfast dedication tim addressing their needs.

DDC Rajawar Mir Sulaiman expressed his satisfaction at the project's approval, highlighting its significance as a message to those in power who have politicized vital issues for decades.

He reaffirmed his commitment to continue working tirelessly for the betterment of society and the welfare of his constituents, promising to prioritize infrastructure development and address pressing community needs.

This approval marks a significant victory for Village Bakihakar and stands as a beacon of hope for future infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing connectivity and improving the lives of residents in the region. (HT)

SRINAGAR: In a tragic incident, three individuals have gone missing after an old bridge collapsed in the Uri area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district. The mishap occurred during the removal of the old Gungal Bridge over the River Jehlum in Gingal. Eyewitnesses reported that the laborers were diligently working on dismantling the bridge when they suddenly slipped and fell into the river.

The collapsed bridge was located in the picturesque Uri Village Mohra area. The three workers, engaged in the demolition project, were swept away by the strong currents of the Jehlum River. Rescue operations have been initiated by local authorities, including the police, army, and civil administration, along with the assistance of local volunteers.

The incident has left the community in shock, and efforts are underway to locate and rescue the missing individuals. The old bridge, which had served the community for years, now stands as a somber reminder of the risks faced by those involved in infrastructure maintenance and repair.

As the rescue teams continue their search, the Uri region remains on high alert, emphasizing the need for proper safety measures during such critical tasks.

SRINAGAR: A 48-year-old woman died after falling off a bridge in Rajouri on Thursday morning, officials said. 

They told GNS that while crossing the bridge a woman slipped and fell into a rivulet in Kandi area. Soon after, a rescue operation was launched at the site and the body of the woman recovered later on, they said.
 
The officials identified the deceased woman as Shamim Akhter, wife of Khadam Hussein, resident of Kandi Rajouri. 

A police official confirming it told GNS that they have taken cognizance of the incident. (GNS)

Dr. AB Qayoom

SRINAGAR: No bridge over troubled water in Karen where two  tribal villages Karen payeen and Bala remain cutoff. An estimated 5,000 tribal residents along the "Kashir Khata" Nalla near river Neelam/Kishan Ganga of LoC sector in Karen area of border district Kupwara have no access to healthcare, education, livelihood, administration and communication. All because the promised bridge over the nallah Kashir Khata has been under construction for the past 06 years and still remains incomplete.

Local Elected BDC Mohd Syed told HEADLINSTODAY,with the different type of monsoons in border area even the meagre health services such as vaccinations and regular health check ups of sick and pregnant women come to a halt due to lack of transport. It is risky to travel by a horse are a car through this Nallah.Haji Mohd Afzal a local senior returied teacher and a social  worker said, that he had seen many people die because of the delay in getting them to the healthcare facility.

 "The 2 villages which are on the other side of the Nallah are cut off from this part of the Karen and people have to trek for many hours in hilly terrain to reach the health centre.The problem is even worse during the winter season," Bilal Ah khan another local 10th standard student said.

As many as Our 5000 people have no access to basic facilities like healthcare, education, administration, livelihood, and communication especially.They remain cutoff as a bridge that can connect them to the ‘mainland’ is under construction for the past 06years and yet to see the light of the day.

Running Nallah are the only means of transportation and during the winter and comming summer season, our villages are marooned. According to villagers, despite decades of electoral promises, nothing has changed. “The bridge construction work which began almost 06years ago is yet to be completed. The work is not happening at all.

The contractors who were tasked with building the bridge dropped their equipment and left,” Mumtaz Ah Khan, a local pravite teacher said,Education is the worst affected in the area, he added. Healthcare workers at the  health centre in Karen village tell the same story.

The telephonic network is so bad that there are times even the news of someone’s demise in the far flung villages takes days to reach the relatives. 

Mohd Ashrif Joo another resident said“ The situation is worse for women, children and the elderly. “we have to cross the Nallah through a temporary dead wood based bridge to get to the  health centre, and often there are pregnant women with me. I fear for their lives as the water in the river is so turbulent that we fear the dead wood may capsize,” he added.With the monsoons, even the meagre health services such as vaccinations and regular health check ups of sick and pregnant women come to a halt due to lack of transport.

It is risky to travel by dead wood in those months, she added. A govt surveyor from a private telecommunication company who had arrived in Karen to survey the terrain, told HEADLINES TODAY that it was almost impossible for an outsider to survive in the area.

The trek to reach the government facilities on the other side of the Nallah takes so much time. “I have come here from srinagar.

People told,We just want a bridge to be constructed as soon as possible, It will make it easier for us to access basic facilities like livelihood and healthcare,” local PRI members,“The trek to reach the government facilities on the other side of the Nalla takes one full day. The bridge is extremely crucial for the tribal inhabitants to get their fundamental rights,” they added. 

However they urged the government to direct the authorities concerned to ensure completion of the bridge at the earliest, so that people may not face any inconvenience anymore. 

While talking to HEADLINES TODAY Deputy commissioner Kupwara Dr.Doifode Sagar said,the pending work of said bridge is also under concentration of district  administration.In this regard R&B department handover the panding work to concern agency SCOPE.Meanwhile Farooq Ahmad Exn R&B division Kupwara told,the pending work on the project will be started within a One month.

SRINAGAR: At least forty persons were injured after a footbridge collapsed during Baisakhi celebrations in Udhampur district on Friday afternoon, officials said. 

They told GNS that that a steel footbridge collapsed at Beni Sangam in Bain village in Udhampur when a large chunk of locals were over it in connection with Baisakhi festival celebrations in the area. 

The injured persons have been evacuated from the site to a nearby hospital, where all of them are said to be responding well to the treatment, the official said. (GNS)