Bridge collapse in Reasi district sparks outrage; PDP leader demands accountability

jj correspondent
Rajouri, March 11
In a shocking incident, the Badhora Bridge connecting Rajouri and Reasi districts, constructed by the 110 RCC GREF of the Border Roads Organization (BRO), collapsed on Tuesday morning, just months after its reconstruction. The bridge collapsed when a loaded dumper was crossing the bridge, and it also fell in the rivulet causing serious injuries to the driver
The bridge, maintained by 110 RCC, was rebuilt and reopened for traffic last year after it had previously collapsed on February 12, 2023, when two loaded dumpers crossing it plunged into the Badora rivulet, critically injuring both drivers. The bridge serves as a critical link between Mahore and Chassan Tehsils, making its collapse a significant setback for the region.
Senior PDP leader and former Sarpanch, Mohammad Farooq Inqlabi, expressed deep concern over the incident, calling it extremely unfortunate and demanding immediate accountability. He urged the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Jammu to file an FIR against all supervising officers of GREF who were responsible for overseeing the bridge’s construction.
“This collapse is not just a failure of infrastructure but a direct reflection of the corruption, negligence, and incompetence of those entrusted with supervision of the bridge’s construction,” said Inqlabi.
He emphasized that the incident highlights a blatant disregard for proper protocols and quality checks during construction. “It is high time that those responsible are held accountable,” he added.
The bridge is the only connection between Reasi and Rajouri districts, with residents of Mahore subdivision in Reasi now facing severe hardship as Rajouri district HQ and GMC Rajouri are their nearest market and hospital.
Inqlabi further stressed that the people of Mahore subdivision deserve better than substandard infrastructure. He called for thorough investigations to ensure that such tragedies are prevented in the future. “The safety of our citizens is paramount, and anyone found guilty should be brought to justice,” he concluded.