Embankment’s erosion threatens Tawi bridge

Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 29

Despite flash floods eroding embankment holding one end of the Tawi bridge near Bikram Chowk, the authorities seem to be waiting for a major catastrophe to wake up. No effort is being made to repair the embankment, which could lead to the collapse of the bridge if another deadly deluge like September-2014 engulfs the Tawi.

The embankment of the crucial bridge is eroding with every rain, which swells the river, but the authorities have not taken any measures to fill the portion with concrete, which is a norm.

The Tribune had last week carried a report on the threat faced by the Tawi bridge and officials from the Irrigation and Flood Control Department and Public Works Department (PWD) had claimed that the work would start soon so that there is no threat to the bridge, but nothing has been done.

During September-2014 floods, two bridges over the river had been washed away and the authorities had stopped traffic on the Tawi bridge for several hours.

“Nobody is concerned and if this erosion is allowed to expand it could threaten the stability of the bridge. It seems that the administration is waiting for another flash flood for permanent damage,” said a Jaipal Singh, a university student.

There are four bridges over the Tawi — two join Gumat with Bikram Chowk, one connects Gujjar Nagar with the Bahu Fort area and the fourth joins Bhagwati Nagar with Satwari. A fifth bridge has been built over the river on the city bypass near Nagrota.

“Illegal construction at Nagrota, Sidhra, Panjthirthi, Circular Road, Gujjar Nagar, Jogi Gate, Bhagwati Nagar and Beli Charana should also be stopped to save the river,” said Kuldeep Sharma, a local resident.