Minister for R&B, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, today inaugurated the Tengpona bridge completed at a cost of Rs. 1.58 crore here today.Minister for Finance, Dr. Haseeb A. Drabu and MLA, Pulwama Mohammad Khalid Band were present on the occasion.Besides laying foundation of 20 meter long girder bride at Rangmulla on Pulwama-Tahab road coming up at a cost of Rs. 2.43 crore, the Minister also laid foundation of Machpona bridge costing Rs. 1.96 crore.Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that Government has taken an initiative to reconstruct the basic infrastructure, particularly roads and bridges, damaged in the last year’s floods. He said the priority of the Government is to restore the damaged road communication, adding that a massive reconstruction plan of roads and bridges started across the State will be completed within one year.
The Minister said that road connectivity will remove the sufferings of people and will give them relief. Regarding payment of contractor bills, he said that genuine claims would be settled shortly. Dr Drabu on the occasion said that last year’s floods caused major devastation to basic facilities in Pulwama district in which about 13 bridges were damaged, some of them completely washed away. He said the restoration of road communication, including construction of bridges, will improve the road connectivity across the State. “There is no scarcity of funds required for the purpose” said the Minister, adding that all roads will be resorted in a time bound manner.Former Minister and sitting MLA, Pulwama Mohammad Khalid Band said that major roads of Pulwama district were damaged in last year’s floods. He said Government is serious in reconstructing and restoring the road links damaged in the floods. He said with repairs of damaged roads in the district, other roads also need to be up-graded and macadamized for convenience of general public. Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, Chief Engineer R&B besides senior officers of R&B and district administration, Pulwama were present on the occasion.