Pulwama, Nov 22 (KNO): Residents of various areas in Tral, a hamlet in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, have been urging authorities to construct a bridge over the Watal Ara Nallah near the Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Tral. They said the absence of a permanent bridge has caused hardships for locals, particularly during emergencies.
The residents told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that every year makeshift arrangements are made, but these temporary bridges are washed away by floods or heavy rains, leading to ongoing difficulties for people trying to access essential services. They said the nallah serves as the shortest route for several villages to reach the town, making it a vital link for daily commuters.
"Every year, we see temporary bridges being constructed, but they get washed away with each flood season. This has been going on for years, and people are suffering," said one local resident. "Elderly people, women and children find it especially difficult to cross the nallah, and it is becoming increasingly dangerous."
Abdul Hamid Ganie, another local resident, said they face specific challenges in emergency situations. "During emergencies, it's nearly impossible to get across safely," he said. "The government should focus on building a permanent concrete bridge as a long-term solution instead of wasting resources on makeshift arrangements."
The residents said they have been raising the issue for the past 25 years, but despite numerous appeals to various authorities, no concrete steps have been taken to address the problem. "The government spends lakhs on other works, but we are still waiting for a bridge here," said Khursheed Ahmad, another resident. "The makeshift bridges are extremely risky, and people from six villages have to take long detours to reach the hospital."
The residents have once again urged the government to prioritise the construction of the bridge so that they can finally have a reliable and safe crossing.
An official from the concerned department told KNO that the government has recently approved the construction of a permanent bridge over the Watal Ara Nallah. "A 1×30 metre span steel bridge will be constructed on the Tral-Pinglish road near SDH, at an estimated cost of Rs 2.5 crore," the official said. "The construction work is expected to begin soon, and we are hopeful that this issue will be resolved once and for all."—(KNO)