Srinagar residents blame government inaction for deadly boat tragedy

Srinagar, Community outrage is growing in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir following a fatal boating accident in Srinagar that claimed the lives of six people, including schoolchildren. Residents attribute the tragedy to the longstanding failure of authorities to construct a promised footbridge over the Jhelum River, which they say could have prevented the incident.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the boat, carrying 15 passengers, capsized at Gandbal in the Batwara area of Srinagar, leading to six deaths, with three individuals still missing. The incident has sparked intense criticism from both the public and political figures in the region, who accuse the local administration of neglecting crucial infrastructure projects.

Local frustration centers on a footbridge that was first approved in 2011 but has seen numerous construction delays. Work on the bridge began in 2016 but was frequently halted, with the most recent efforts in 2019 stopping abruptly without explanation. Residents lamented the prolonged delays, suggesting that the completed bridge would have provided a safe crossing alternative to the dangerous boat trips currently necessitated by the lack of a bridge.

“The bridge construction has dragged on for years,” stated Shabir Ahmed, a local resident, highlighting the dependency on boats to cross the river and the potential for avoiding such tragedies if the bridge had been completed. Another resident, Abdul Rashid, expressed frustration with the slow pace of construction and the lack of responsiveness from authorities despite repeated community appeals.

The deep community grief is palpable, with one resident poignantly stating, “We lost our kids due to official apathy. Who will return our beloved sons back to us?” This sentiment reflects a profound despair and a call for accountability from the authorities responsible for the area’s infrastructure.