BY || MOHD MAJID MALIK | KNO
BHADERWAH,NOV 24 (KNO) : Infamous for nepotism, corruption and irregularities in its projects, the Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation (JKPCC) has continued to bleed the state exchequer by delaying the projects of pressing public importance . In a testimony of non-adherence to the repeated directions of the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti regarding completion of projects of public importance in a time bond manner , the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) Limited are at loggerheads over execution of major projects of immense public importance in Bhaderwah , which were sanctioned several years back. It has been more than six years since the foundation stone for the construction of the bridge in Kursari village of Bhaderwah was laid but alleged lackadaisical approach of JKPCC authorities has put the project in limbo.The locals of Kursari village which is bsed on thousands of households and voters alleged that lackadaisical attitude of the JKPCC authorities has shaken their political faith as they feel they have been deliberately ignored.“If the Government has completed other development works which were taken up along with our bridge, then why is the construction work on the bridge lingering on for last several years? ,” said a local Shamim Ahmed . This leaves the entire area cut off from major routes including those leading to hospitals, schools and market places.“We are facing problems to reach main Bhaderwah town for necessary works in absence of bridge. It is pity upon the government which is sleeping over development,” said another local Shabir Ahmed and demanded immediate completion of work .“There is construction activity on the bridge only on special occasions when someone from the administration is visiting to visit the area. Once the visitor from the administration leaves, the workers follow suit,”Firdous Ahmed , another local said.Women are the worst sufferers of the apathy of the concerned department, sometimes they have an emergency and it takes them to complete a distance of one kilometre in more than one hour,” he further said . However, during the six years, two spans have been constructed and middle span which covers a large area of the bridge has been left incomplete, the inhabitants added. Locals said the absence of bridge was also marring the marriage prospects of those living on other side of the bridge.The locals added that they were hopeful that work on the bridge might start soon, however, six years have passed on, the department has not completed half of the project yet, with the result the local population continues to face hardships .Locals alleged that JKPCC starts construction work on the bridge once in a year for 10 to 20 days in summer season every year then the work is again stopped without any reason.Sources informed that despite some serious strictures against the corporation and its officers, the working of the JKPCC has grown from bad to worse, raising a serious question on its very need .The aggrieved commuters appealed to the concerned department to complete the bridge, so that they don’t have to face such problems.Repeated attempts were made to contact Deputy Managing Director, JKPCC but his cell was switched off (KNO)