Deadly Boat Capsizing Renews Calls for Completion of Long-Delayed Footbridge

Srinagar: A tragic incident unfolded in Gandbal, Srinagar, as a boat carrying primarily school children capsized in the River Jhelum on Tuesday, resulting in at least six fatalities.

The event has cast a pall of gloom over the area, prompting residents to criticise the authorities for their failure to complete the construction of a footbridge that would have connected Gandbal with the rest of Srinagar city, potentially averting the tragedy.

The construction of the bridge was initiated by the R&B Department in 2016, but the project remains unfinished to this day. The bridge construction has dragged on for years forcing the use of boats to cross the river.

“If the bridge had been completed, this tragedy could have been avoided,” locals said. The residents alleged that the progress on the bridge had been exceedingly slow over the past seven years, despite the residents raising concerns with the authorities multiple times.

They alleged no positive response despite repeated requests. The tragic incident has sparked accountability questions. The residents want accountability and fixing responsibility.

Heavy rainfall in Kashmir over the past four days led to a rise in the water level of River Jhelum, exacerbating the dangers. Officials acknowledged that the work on the footbridge began way back in 2016 at Rs 4.76 crore, but cited lack of dedicated funding as a challenge.

The tragedy in Gandbal has not only resulted in the loss of lives but also brought to light the urgent need for infrastructure development and the importance of timely completion of projects to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.