Kulgam, 30-Dec;The Kelam-Ashmuji Bridge here in Kulgam district remains out of bounds for the general public even though its construction is complete after a long wait of ten years. The reason is that the administration has failed to construct footpaths on the bridge, much to the inconvenience of the general public.Construction of the 175 metre motorable bridge over Vaishov stream was completed few months back with an estimated cost of 14.75 crores by Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC).The bridge would have enhanced the connectivity of several areas with each other and to district headquarter Kulgam, but it remains out of reach for locals despite completion in absence of footpaths for the pedestrians.Locals said that the bridge was somehow completed earlier this year but was not motor able as an approach road was needed to be built, and that too was done through the district administration. However, being motor able has caused much incontinence to the locals in the surrounding area as the bridge lacks footpaths on its both sides.“We have been waiting for its completion for the last decade. Now the bridge is complete we are unable to use it as administration is yet to construct its footpaths. Why did they not issue tenders for the same in the last one decade? It is a clear case of official apathy, we were told by officials that footpaths on angle-irons have been already allotted for the same” Ghulam Mohammad, a local said.Whole speaking to Locals
