View of a bridge, which connects Uri to Baramulla, damaged due to heavy rains. (Press Trust of India)
More than 2,500 roads and 163 small bridges have been damaged in the Jammu province alone due to the flooding in the state.
"In Jammu province, out of 3,517 roads having length of 9,851 kms, about 2,553 roads have been damaged due to heavy rain and flash floods," Roads and Buildings Minister Abdul Majid Wani said today.
A total of 163 foot-bridges and motorable bridges have also been damaged in the region, Mr Wani said.
The Roads and Buildings department is mobilising all the resources and so far about 375 machines have been put into service to restore 1,800 road links, he said.
In addition to this, about 64 bridges, including one motorable bridge over the Niki Tawi river, were washed away and 163 foot bridges and motor bridges have been damaged in various parts of Jammu province.
"The restoration work of the damaged bridge has been started on war-footing," the minister said. He also inspected various bridges and roads in Jammu to assess the damages caused by flash floods.
During the inspection of the fourth Tawi Bridge the minister was told that the bridge has not suffered any structural failure or damages, however, the left side approach towards Belicharana side (Ware House side) got damaged to a length of about 60 metres.
Chief Engineer R&B Abdul Hamid told the minister that the cost of temporary restoration will be approximately 1.25 crore, and that permanent restoration work shall be taken up after proper design and study of hydraulic data to ensure its safety.
The minister also inspected the Niki Tawi bridge, which has been washed away due to incessant rains and flash floods.
Forty-five villages located in Tawi islands, having a population of about 20,000 were cut-off due to damages on the bridge but the Public Works Department or PWD had taken up construction of an alternate road to provide the shortest possible connectivity to these areas.