107 flood-damaged roads restored in Kashmir

Authorities Friday said that 107 roads damaged by floods and landslides in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir have been restored for traffic.

During a relief and restoration meeting by the Poonch district magistrate, it was informed that unprecedented incessant rain and consequent flash floods and gigantic landslides damaged the road infrastructure in Poonch district.

Engineers of the roads and buildings department told the meeting that floods affected 193 roads in the district. Of these, 121 major roads besides several foot bridges and approach roads to three major bridges -- Sher-e-Kashmir, Dhundak and Pamrote bridges -- were breached at various locations, hitting vehicular traffic and pedestrian movement.

A total of 107 of the 121 major roads that were extensively damaged and blocked have been opened for traffic while restoration work on the remaining 14 roads is delayed because major stretches of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) roads have been washed away.

Bailey bridges have been arranged for restoring three major bridges in the district. The restoration work of fully and partially damaged foot bridges has also been set into motion.

The district magistrate has set a fixed timeline for their completion, an official statement said Friday.