The residents of Afan village in the Lolab area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district have voiced their dissatisfaction with the authorities for their failure to construct a concrete bridge over Afan-Lolab Nallah, which has resulted in significant hardships for the community.
According to the residents, they have been compelled to construct a makeshift wooden bridge to address the challenges posed by the absence of a proper infrastructure. However, they lament that this makeshift arrangement is prone to damage during flash floods, adding to their woes.
The makeshift wooden bridge, while serving as a temporary solution, poses serious threats to the safety of the residents, particularly children, elderly individuals, and women who feel insecure while traversing it. The absence of side protection adds to their concerns, with incidents of drowning reported in the past.
The situation is particularly dire for the children of the village, who must cross the bridge daily to attend school on the other side of the Nallah. Despite their appeals to the authorities, including numerous attempts to bring the issue to the notice of concerned officials, the residents have seen no tangible action taken to address their plight.
With their patience wearing thin, the residents have now sought the immediate intervention of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan, urging her to prioritize the construction of a concrete bridge to alleviate their suffering.
It is evident that the absence of proper infrastructure has left the residents of Afan village vulnerable to various risks and challenges, underscoring the urgent need for government intervention to address their grievances.
