Budgam, Oct 25: Residents of Sozeith village in central Kashmir’s Budgam district have urged the authorities to replace the damaged iron plates of a small bridge connecting Sozeith with the Narbal area, citing serious concerns over the safety of commuters.
The residents said the iron plates installed on the bridge have deteriorated over time, with several holes developing in the surface. They warned that the holes are gradually widening, posing a potential risk to commuters and vehicles using the bridge daily.
Locals said the bridge surface had developed several large holes and damaged patches due to the deteriorating condition of the iron plates.They said the damaged portions had made crossing the bridge risky, particularly for two-wheeler riders and drivers of small vehicles
Zahoor Ahmad, a commuter, said the condition of the bridge had been worsening with each passing day and required immediate attention from the concerned authorities.
“The iron plates installed on the bridge have outlived their service life. Small holes have started developing in the plates, making it difficult and potentially dangerous for vehicles to cross the bridge,” he said.
He cautioned that if the damaged plates were not replaced on urgent basis, the tyres of small vehicles could get stuck in the holes, potentially leading to accidents and causing inconvenience to commuters.
Other residents of the village echoed similar concerns, saying the holes in the iron plates were increasing in size and that the deteriorating condition of the bridge could pose a serious threat to public safety if left unattended.
They urged the government to replace the damaged plates at the earliest to ensure the safety of commuters and prevent further deterioration of the bridge.
The residents also expressed apprehension that continued neglect of the damaged plates could compromise the safety of the bridge and lead to an untoward incident.
They have appealed to the Deputy Commissioner Budgam and the Roads and Buildings Department to take immediate cognisance of the issue, inspect the bridge and initiate necessary measures to replace the damaged iron plates before any accident occurs.
