The Biz Reporter
Srinagar, Apr 16: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) is distressed over the loss of life in the Boat Capsizing Tragedy at Batwara – Gandabal River Jhelum crossing. The KCCI mourns the devastating loss of 6 lives, including school children. It appeals to the administration to intensify the operation to search for any missing persons. This incident has brought inconsolable grief to the families of the children who were on their way to school in the ill-fated boat and never returned. No words can adequately convey the sorrow over this loss or express condolences to the victims’ families.
KCCI believes this tragic incident could have been averted had the concerned authorities shown sensitivity to the precarious situation at the spot and other dangerous river crossings. It is perplexing to note that the process of constructing a bridge at the site had been initiated but abandoned for unknown reasons. The safety and security of citizens should be the foremost duty of any government, but in this and other such cases, safety concerns have been ignored. Notably, the KCCI had been pressing for developmental and beautification works beyond the Srinagar Municipal Limits in Srinagar Smart City Project Limited meetings, but the suggestion was ignored on the grounds that earmarked funds could only be spent within the municipal limits.
The KCCI demands that work on the Batwara-Gandabal Bridge be undertaken on a war footing, and that construction or completion of bridges and footbridges at other similarly situated river crossings be treated as urgent to avert similar incidents and prevent further loss of life.
