After a meeting attended by representatives of different parties, the Dobrachati Pul Banao Samiti has demanded that a white paper be issued on the present status of this bridge in Tehri district and the future plan regarding its construction. The bridge, which was slated to be constructed by 2008, has not yet been constructed, though Rs 124 crore has been spent.
The delay in construction of this bridge forces a population of about two lakh people to cover an additional 80 km. Chief convenor of DPBS, RP Painuly, said that information procured through the Right to Information Act and spot visits by volunteers have revealed anomalies in the construction of this bridge. "This bridge originally was to span 396 metres, but two years after start of construction and after spending more than 50 per cent of the budget, the Public Works Department concerned conducted a technical survey of the site in 2008.
The survey recommended that the span be increased to 444 metres, but even now the interim report comprising the new design and other technical aspects is awaited. Till now, The bridge, which was slated to be constructed by 2008, has not yet been built, though Rs 124 crore has been spent. The delay in construction forces a population of about two lakh people to cover an additional 80 km124 crore has been spent on this project but there is no sign of the bridge. The company involved in the construction of the bridge has been involved in illegal mining in the area," alleged Painuly.
He said that about two lakh residents of the underdeveloped Pratapnagar area are not properly connected with the rest of the district. The people have to cover an addition 80 kms due to the delay in construction of the bridge. "Under the RTI Act, the PWD had informed in December 2012 that all the material needed for construction of the bridge had been bought and the cost of the project is now being estimated at Rs 170 crore. This bridge was to be ready in 2008 but six years after start of construction, the PWD felt the need to consider technical, geological and other aspects for this and spent about Rs 2.50 crore on this after which the final decision has not yet been taken and the project is in limbo," he said.
The Government should release a white paper on the project, transparency should be maintained and an expert committee should be formed, legal action should be taken against those involved in illegal mining at the project site apart from which the Chief Minister should give time to the DPBS delegation which has been seeking an appointment for long without success. Painuly said that if these measures are not executed, social and regional political organisations will file a PIl in court. Samajwadi Party national secretary Vinod Barthwal, Garhwal Sabha head TS Aswal, former IAS SS Pangti, Uttarakhand Janmanch head Ashok Bahukhandi, Manmohan lakheda of UKD (Panwar faction) and other representatives of regional political outfits attended the meet on Sunday.