Despite the fact that government has declared Mehjoor Nagar Bridge unsafe for vehicular traffic, the local residents of Mehjoor Nagar Monday alleged that government is allowing its use for heavy vehicles.Inhabitants of the Mehjoor Nagar and its other surrounding areas Monday told KNS that the use of this bridge has risen manifold over the past few months following route diversions in the wake of Jehangir Chowk-Ram Bagh(JCRB) flyover construction. “The bridge is feared to prove disastrous for thousands of people who everyday drive this link. The Engineers has already declared Bridge as unsafe for movement of vehicles. Though the light vehicles ply over it, but the traffic cops are allowing the heavy passenger, and commercial vehicles to ply over it,” one of local resident Mohmaad Aslam told KNS.
He alleged that though they have brought the matter in the notice of the higher authorities but there is no response. “We have brought the matter into the notice of the Divisional commissioner Kashmir but there is no response. Now we appeal Chief Minister Mufti Mohmaad Syed to intervene and look into the matter,”. The local residents alleged that police and civil administration is sleeping over the issue only to appease ruling coalition by facilitating smooth work on the JCRB flyover.They said that though they put barricade on both sides of the Bridge to prevent movement of heavy vehicles but it was removed by the unknown persons. “Now the bridge is feared to prove disastrous for people crossing it,” they said.Official sources said that though in 2014 the Roads and Building (R&B) department declared the bridge unsafe for any vehicular traffic but throwing safety concerns to winds the government allowed its use for light vehicles.“We have declared the Bridge unsafe but it is unfortunate that vehicles are plying over it. We fear the bridge can collapse anytime,” one of the top officials of the R&B department wished anonymity told KNS. (KNS)