A footbridge meant to cross Chilly Nala, a stream that later connects to Kalnai, a tributary of the Chenab river, washed away in the Sanwara area, which is about 15 kilometres from Gandoh Bhalessa’s sub divisional headquarters and about 70 kilometres from Doda’s district headquarters.
Locals told The Chenab Times that the footbridge connects around three panchayats of the area, which consists of a huge population, and that this bridge was the only way to cross the Chilly Nala to reach their agricultural lands.
According to Abdul Rashid, a sarpanch from Sanwara panchayat, the footbridge was built by the Rural Development Department but washed away due to heavy rains, cutting their people off from their agricultural lands.
“We urge the district administration to intervene in the matter and construct the footbridge as soon as possible so that the people of the area will get some relief,” Rashid said.
Managing Editor and Senior Photojournalist at The Chenab Times