SRINAGAR: National Conference MLA Shamim Firdous on Thursday raised serious concerns in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly over the condition of the old Habba Kadal bridge, alleging that the 150-year-old structure has become neglected, unsafe and a hub for drug abuse, and demanded urgent intervention by the Roads and Buildings Department.
Speaking during the discussion, Firdous said the bridge, located in the Downtown area, has effectively been abandoned despite public protests. She alleged that drug addicts have occupied the area, discouraging residents from using the structure. “People are scared to walk there,” she said, adding that repeated appeals for action have not yielded results.
She said that although efforts had been made to develop the bridge as an attraction, the surrounding infrastructure remained inadequate. Narrow lanes and a lack of road widening, she said, make it impractical for tourists to access the site.
The MLA expanded her criticism to broader infrastructure concerns, particularly road projects in her constituency. She said several roads macadamised last year deteriorated within days, developing large potholes after blacktopping was carried out in September and October. She urged the government to begin macadamisation in May or June to prevent wastage of public funds.
Firdous also flagged delays in major projects which were approved and funded during a previous National Conference government to widen connectivity up to 90 feet from Lal Chowk. She said both projects have remained stalled for the past seven to eight years.
She questioned the status of sanctioned funds for the Barbarshah Bridge and Barbarshah Road in her constituency, alleging that although approvals and funding had been granted earlier, the money has not been accounted for.
Highlighting traffic congestion, she said the narrow Barbarshah Bridge is being used as a diversion route for traffic from Lal Chowk to Soura, causing severe delays. “Children have to leave three to four hours early for school due to traffic jams,” she said.
The MLA further claimed that Rs 38 crore meant for road widening remains pending with the Collector, while an additional Rs 21 crore acknowledged in a previous Assembly reply has not been utilised. She urged authorities to identify and deploy these funds to complete pending works.
Criticising administrative inefficiency, Firdous said the problem lies not in a lack of funding but in a lack of capable officers. She called for the appointment of efficient officials, particularly in the engineering wing, to ensure proper implementation of projects.
She also raised concerns over procedural delays faced by youth seeking to establish businesses, saying that land approvals and clearances take two to three years. She urged the government to simplify procedures to promote small-scale industries.
Firdous further said nearly 100 youth who secured industrial land on lease four years ago are yet to receive possession.
Calling the Roads and Buildings Department a key institution for infrastructure and employment generation, she urged the government to address bottlenecks, ensure proper utilisation of grants and accelerate stalled projects.
