Kupwara villagers demand concrete bridge over stream

Amin Masoodi

Kupwara, November 29

A makeshift footbridge over a stream in Kuligam village of Kupwara district has become a death trap for the locals.

A minor boy, Rizwan Ahmad Turk, a resident of Kuligam, drowned in the stream on November 13 after he lost his balance while walking over the makeshift footbridge made of wood planks.

Despite hectic efforts by the police, Army and the civil administration, the boy could not be saved. His body has not been retrieved so far. The boy was accompanied by his grandfather and the incident happened when he was returning home.

Locals said this was the sixth drowning incident since 2003.

“The temporary footbridge has become a death trap for the locals here. Scores of families living in Kuligam and its adjoining villages use the makeshift bridge almost daily to reach the other side,” said Irshad Ahmad, a Kuligam resident.

“The authorities are aware of the problem but have been ignoring our request for a permanent bridge on the fast-flowing stream. The temporary bridge poses a serious threat to the lives of locals. During winter, the water level in the stream often crosses the danger mark,” Irshad added.

Villagers said the successive regimes had failed to construct the bridge despite casualties.

“We appeal to the authorities to immediately construct a bridge over the stream so that more tragedies are avoided,” said another local.

Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mohammad Hafeez Shah, Kupwara, said he had taken up the issue with the higher authorities. “A concrete bridge over the stream will facilitate safe movement of pedestrians and light vehicles. I have already mentioned the importance and urgency of a concrete bridge in my recent tour note,” he added.