Delayed Bridge Construction in Udhampur Causes Hardship for 70,000 Villagers.

The construction of a crucial bridge over Chapel Nallah in Ramnagar Tehsil, Udhampur, has been significantly delayed, causing severe hardship for nearly 70,000–80,000 residents from 15–20 villages who rely on it for daily commuting.

Work on the 40-meter-long steel girder bridge, funded under NABARD with a budget of ₹2.32 crore, began in December 2023 but remains incomplete. The bridge is meant to connect Surni Panchayat through Neeli Jandrore to the block headquarters in Ghordi, but delays have forced students, patients, and commuters to cross the treacherous drain on foot.

Poor Quality Construction and Weather Setbacks

According to Parshotam Kumar Joshi, Executive Engineer at PWD Ramnagar, the bridge’s approaches were under construction but suffered damage due to heavy rains and landslides, which also caused cracks in the breast walls. Additionally, substandard materials used in construction led to some structures being demolished.

"The approach work was already weak due to poor materials. Before we could rectify it, heavy rain caused landslides, further damaging the wall. We have since demolished all substandard sections and issued strict instructions to use only high-quality materials," Joshi stated on Tuesday.

The contractor has been warned to adhere to strict quality standards, and the PWD has issued a notice to ensure timely completion of the project, which originally had an 18-month deadline.

Locals Demand Urgent Action

Frustrated villagers have blamed the contractor for using low-quality materials, resulting in repeated collapses and further delays. The ongoing setbacks continue to disrupt schoolchildren, medical emergencies, and daily commuters, increasing public outcry for immediate intervention.

With the approach work still incomplete, officials have assured that corrective measures are being taken to resume and expedite construction to prevent further inconvenience.

ET