Pulwama, Aug 25 (KNO): More than a month after the Lariyar Bridge in Tral was declared unsafe for traffic, residents of over a dozen villages continue to face hardship as no temporary diversion has yet been provided at the site.
The 40-year-old bridge was declared unsafe by the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department after cracks developed in its structure. Following the safety assessment, authorities stopped traffic on the bridge as a precautionary measure, disrupting an important connectivity link for people living in the surrounding areas.
Since its closure, residents have been compelled to use longer alternative routes to reach Tral town and adjoining areas.
Residents told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the prolonged disruption has affected daily commuters, students, employees, traders and patients, besides increasing travel time and transportation expenses.
They urged the administration to establish a temporary diversion immediately so that connectivity could be restored until a permanent bridge is constructed.
Meanwhile, MLA Tral Rafiq Naik said the issue has been taken up with the concerned authorities and assured that a temporary diversion would be constructed soon.
Naik said he has also conveyed to the authorities that he is ready to allocate Rs 32 lakh from his Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for construction of the diversion as an interim measure until a permanent solution is put in place.
“I have taken up the issue with the concerned authorities and the diversion will come up soon. I have also told the authorities that I am ready to provide Rs 32 lakh from my CDF for construction of the diversion so that people do not continue to suffer until permanent measures are taken,” Naik said.
“The bridge is a vital link for several villages, and its closure has affected almost every section of society. People have already suffered for more than a month. We hope the promised diversion is constructed at the earliest,” a resident said.
Residents said that while the safety of commuters could not be compromised, authorities should have made an alternative arrangement immediately after closing the bridge.
“We appreciate the decision to stop traffic on an unsafe bridge, but there should have been a temporary alternative from the very beginning. Students, patients, employees and traders are all facing difficulties because of the closure,” a resident said.
Locals reiterated their demand for the construction of a new permanent bridge, saying the existing structure is old and has developed serious structural defects.
They urged the administration, R&B Department and other concerned agencies to expedite both the temporary diversion and the process for a permanent replacement, stating that prolonged disruption of the vital link could continue to affect education, healthcare, trade and other essential activities in the area—(KNO)