In a significant development, one foot bridge at an estimated cost of 6.3 lakhs was constructed over Chakwa Nallah near Batote in very short period where three school going children were washed away while crossing during the flash flood of May 2016. The 4.5 meter long and 1.5 meter wide bridge built under MGNREGA connects four villages- Chakwa, Ladwal, Shivgarh and Thopal constituting over 700 families in block Batote along Batote-Doda road. The bridge which is yet to be inaugurated has already been thrown open to the people.Following instructions passed by District Development Commissioner Mohammad Aijaz while visiting the flood hit area along with officers of RD sector, decision was taken for constructing Foot Bridge across the Nallah on war footing so that people do not face any hindrance during rainy season.Pursuant to directions of Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti for replication of Project Rahat model of Udhampur for construction of bridges in rural areas the Rural Department had issued annual target of around 400 bridges across the state under MGNREGA Convergence. Under Project Rahat 125 bridges were constructed in Udhampur which was inaugurated by Chief Minister in April this year.
District Ramban has initiated construction of bridges in far flung areas. Locals disclosed “children of one side have to cross over Nallah before reaching the school located on the other side and during heavy rains or flood, the increased water level would hamper normal movement of people in general and students in particular and now we feel a sigh of relief with the construction of foot bridge”Pertinently, the department is also constructing protection works, bridle paths and approach roads in the flood hit area of Batote.It is worthwhile to mention, the RD sector has already constructed more than 33 bridges in Ramban district under the project “TASKEEN” over Nallahs and flowing streams for uninterrupted people and pets’ movement and work on many other is in progress.Out of all the bridges made under flagship scheme MGNREGA, 11 fall in Block Ramsoo constructed on Batroo Nallah, Kharat, Khawda, Andrahar, Bhata, Danwa, Khudmullah, Dhargali and some temporary streams linking on an average 2 panchyats and 2 to 3 schools and 3 to 4 AWCs. Likewise, In Khari Block 4 bridges built over Ghat Nallah, Chhul Nari and Manzmihal cover number of habitations including main market of Khari. Two bridges are also connecting Mangit areas inhabited by near about 7000 souls.Apart from this, Block Ukhral has the credit of launching 8 bridges over Prakar Nallah, Humar, Dudan and some other seasonal streams all linking households of over 14 panchyats thereby benefitting almost 38 primary, middle and high schools including some Anganwadis.
Major chunk of population is on advantage due to the bridge networks spread across the rural areas.Similarly, block Banihal has built 5 bridges in Lambar, Tethar lower, Chanjlu, Chaknarwah, and Amkoot which join 2 to 3 habitations covering several families. Some bridges are also found near National Highway (NH44) from Ramban to Banihal. In the same way, Block Ramban, Gundi Dharam, Gandhri, Rajgarh and Batote have culminated the construction work of some bridges and culverts to ease public movement over flowing water and work on many other have just begun in the entire district. At Ramban, one bridge on Maitra Nallah links district head quarter with hamlets village-Falty- Gogwal and Khatar constituting more than 1500 residents.Besides, the nomads and villagers who usually move to upper regions during summers from the plain areas along with their livestock have much benefitted by bridges specifically at Danwa Nallah in Block Ramsoo where their movement remains spontaneous. The nomads had to face difficulties’ while crossing and sometimes they had to alter normal tribal routes in order to find safer crossing zone during rains and flooding.It is also relevant to add that locals have placed some wooden logs and ropes at water crossings but during storms and torrential rains their damage would pose threat to the villagers who were left with no other option to bring grains and essential commodities from other side of the Nallahs.