Just a fortnight old bridge in South Kashmir collapsed on Thursday evening.
Locals from Trenz area said that R&B commissioned steel bridge connecting Trenz with Sheikh Pora in Shopian area collapsed early last evening. “Six persons were almost killed,” a local said.
The locals said that given the grim situation in South Kashmir, Trenz-Sheikh Pora road is an important road connecting Shopian with Pulwama.
“A rice loaded new truck was crossing the Rambiara Nallah over the steel bridge when it collapsed and the truck along with its driver and conductor fell in to the waters,” the locals said, “the immediate rescue operation of locals saved their lives.”
They said that at least four locals were walking over the bridge who too fell in to the river and were saved by youths.
“The bridge, two span of 24 metres each, was constructed by R&B, PC Division Srinagar,” a local in know-how of the developmental works of the area said. “It was thrown open just a fortnight ago.”
The locals said that they had been approaching authorities for the damaged roads leading to the bridge. “The demand to construct the bridge was pending since 1961,” an elderly person from the area said.
“There is shortage of essentials in the area and supplies were shifted through this area,” the locals said, “now this communication network too is cut off.”
