Will prepare DPR for bridge construction: Xen PWD R&B Division Chenani
Arun Jasrotia
Udhampur, Oct 26 (TDD): In a heart-wrenching tale of neglect and danger, residents of Parla Matlowa, a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district, are risking their lives daily to cross the treacherous Tawi River.
The only means of crossing is a rickety wooden plank, a perilous lifeline that has claimed lives and caused countless injuries. Despite numerous pleas to authorities, a bridge remains a distant dream, leaving villagers, students, and farmers exposed to the river’s unpredictable currents.
Students from the government primary school in Parla Matlowa recount harrowing experiences of crossing the makeshift bridge. “We live in constant fear of falling,” says Arun Singh a student. “Many have lost their lives while trying to cross this dangerous path.” He urging the government to address the urgent need for a safe crossing.
The lack of a bridge has severe consequences for the community. Children are forced to miss school, villagers struggle to transport their produce and livestock, and the entire region faces economic and social setbacks. Former sarpanch Omkar Singh highlights the urgent need for a bridge, emphasizing the numerous casualties and injuries that have occurred due to the dangerous crossing.
In response to the growing public outcry, the district administration has finally taken steps to address the issue. Suresh Bharti Sharma, the executive engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD) R&B Division Chenani, confirmed that a team has been dispatched to Parla Matlowa to assess the situation and prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the bridge construction.
While this is a positive development, residents remain hopeful that the authorities will expedite the process and ensure that a safe and reliable bridge is constructed as soon as possible. The lives of countless people in Parla Matlowa depend on it.(TDD)