From past over 2 decades, the people of Kanigund and adjacent villagers are waiting for the completion of a bridge in the Khansahb Division of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
The bridge was inaugurated in 1997. The work on the bridge was stopped due to political interference after some months.
Locals told news agency Kashmir News Trust that there was rivalry between two MLAs of two constituencies who both wanted to take credit for the ‘inauguration’ process.
“One MLA was keen to get the bridge completed while another was opposing it and vice versa. This bridge could have connected two Tehsils,” they said.
Locals pooled money to erect a wooden structure that acts as a bridge but it is now in dilapidated condition. “This wooden bridge that has been set up by locals can collapse anytime,” they said.
The locals said that politicians used this bridge to get votes from people. “Some villages fall in one constituency while others in another constituency. Politicians exploited the situation and people and used to get votes in the name of the bridge,” they said. (KNT)