Bridges yet to be restored

DAINIK NATION BUREAU

The Uttarakhand Congress has expressed concern over the slow pace of reconstruction of suspension bridges that were damaged in the Kedar valley during infamous disaster-2013.

Addressing to media here at state Congress headquarters on Wednesday, Uttarakhand PCC President Pritam Singh along Kedarnath MLA Manoj Rawat said that reconstruction of a large number of suspension bridges that were damaged during disaster-2013 in Kedarnath was going on at a tardy pace and the delays were causing great inconvenience to the local people.

He alleged that a large number of suspension bridges on Mandakani and Kali Ganga rivers in Kedarnath valley were swept away in the disaster and these bridges are yet to be restored. “A hundred and eight meter long suspension bridge at Vijaynagar, 48 m long suspension bridge in Chandrapuri and 80-m long suspension bridge at Ukhimath are among the bridges that were destroyed in the 2013 disaster and are still be constructed”, Pritam Singh pointed out.

He said lack of these suspension bridges, villagers were facing a lot of inconvenience travelling to hospital, market and other places. The students were facing hardships going to their schools. They are forced to travel long distances. He explained that the previous Congress government had allotted funds for reconstruction of these damaged bridges and accused the state BJP government of doing little to pursue the matter.

He reiterated that few days ago CM Trivendra Rawat had assured that the reconstruction of these damaged suspension bridges would be executed on priority basis but nothing has happened so far.

Replying to queries, the State PCC President also disclosed that a delegation of Congress leaders comprising Kedarnath MLA Manoj Rawat has submitted a memorandum to Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh seeking prompt action on part of state authorities for reconstruction of damaged suspension bridges in the Kedar valley.