KCCI Mourns Loss of Life in Boat Tragedy, Demands Bridge Construction
Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir – April 16, 2024: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) expressed profound sorrow today following the loss of life in the recent boat capsizing incident at the Batwara-Gandabal crossing on the Jhelum River.
Six Lives Lost, Including School Children
The tragedy claimed the lives of six individuals, tragically including school children commuting to their studies. The KCCI extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and urged the administration to redouble search efforts for any missing persons.
Uncompleted Bridge Project Raises Safety Concerns
The KCCI highlighted the presence of an uncompleted bridge construction project at the very site of the accident. This fact, they stated, raises serious concerns about the prioritization of public safety measures. The business chamber emphasized that completing the bridge could have prevented this heartbreaking loss.
KCCI Calls for Renewed Focus on Safety
The KCCI expressed deep concern over the repeated disregard for safety at dangerous river crossings. They acknowledged advocating for infrastructure development projects beyond Srinagar city limits, including bridge construction, in previous meetings related to the Srinagar Smart City Project. However, these suggestions were reportedly disregarded due to budgetary limitations.
KCCI Demands Immediate Action to Prevent Future Tragedies
In light of this recent incident, the KCCI has made a strong demand for the immediate resumption of construction on the Batwara-Gandabal bridge. Furthermore, they urged the authorities to prioritize the completion of similar bridge projects at other high-risk river crossings throughout the region. These measures, the KCCI emphasized, are crucial to prevent future tragedies and ensure the safety of residents.
NO:KCC&I/PN/04/2024/3658 16th April, 2024
PRESS RELEASE
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) is distressed over the loss of life in the Boat Capsizing Tragedy at Batwara – Gandabal River Jhelum crossing. The KCCI mourns the loss of life of 6 persons including School Children. It appeals the administration to redouble the operation to search the missing persons. It is a tragic and inconsolable loss to the families of the children who were on way to school in the Ill fated boat and never returned. No words are enough to grieve over the loss and express condolences to the families of the victims.
KCCI believes that this tragic incident could have been averted had the concerned authorities shown sensitivity to the situation that existed at the spot and many other dangerous River Crossings. It is perplexing to note that the process of construction of the bridge had been initiated at the site but abandoned for un-known reasons. The safety and security of citizens is the foremost duty of any Government but in this and other such cases the safety concerns have been ignored. It would be worthwhile to mention that the KCCI in Srinagar Smart City Project Limited meetings had been pressing to take Developmental / Beautification works beyond the Srinagar Municipal Limits but the suggestion was ignored on the ground that the funds earmarked would have to be spent within the Srinagar Municipal Limits.
The KCCI demands that the work on Batwara- Gandabal Bridge be taken up on war footing, as also on other similarly situated River Crossing bridges/footbridges be taken up/completed on urgent basis to avert similar incidents and loss of more lives.
Faiz Ahmad Bakshi
Secretary General
