Illegal riverbed mining has magnified the flood damages across Jammu and Kashmir and today is the fifth consecutive day that the road and rail connectivity in the union territory (UT) remains paralysed after flash floods, triggered by cloudbursts and unprecedented heavy rainfall, caused extensive damage to roads and bridges.
Widespread illegal riverbed mining by the sand mafia is being blamed for aggravating the destruction, although the quality of construction of the infrastructure is also being questioned.
Drinking water supply has also been disrupted at many places in the Jammu region that was witnessing widespread damages.
Vital road and rail bridges have been damaged as the sand mafia has been engaged in chaotic mining upstream and downstream of the vital infrastructure.
There were reports of the sand mafia operating unbridled particularly in the Samba and Kathua districts bordering Punjab and they were extracting sand and gravel even around the pillars of the bridges.
The bridge on the Sahar Khad on the Jammu-Pathankot highway linking Jammu with Punjab was among the first casualties.
Another bridge near the AIIMS on the highway has been damaged, disrupting road traffic.
Several bridges and portions of the Jammu-Srinagar highway have also been damaged and it might take a few more days to restore the connectivity.
The Northern Railways have somehow started running two special trains from Jammu to New Delhi and other destinations to carry the stranded pilgrims and tourists. It might take a couple of days to restore normal movement of trains.
The rail link between Jammu and Katra (Vaishnodevi) is also snapped due to damage to the track. However, the Katra-Srinagar rail service was operating as usual, officials said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday chaired a meeting to review the condition of the Jammu-Srinagar NH-44 and other National Highways and major roads damaged by the recent incessant rains. He directed the authorities to ensure swift restoration, smooth traffic movement, and uninterrupted supply of essentials, particularly to the Kashmir Valley and remote areas.
He emphasised the need for close coordination among departments to provide timely updates and respond promptly to public needs.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has called for immediate and strict check on illegal mining and encroachments to prevent future catastrophes and damage to roads and bridges.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary during an on-the-spot assessment of the bridge near the AIIMS on the Jammu-Pathankot highway that has caved in after being constructed just 12 years ago in 2013, took to task the officers of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for the poor quality of work.
The Deputy CM condemned the awful quality of infrastructure and called for a thorough and transparent probe into the causes behind the collapse of bridges and highways.
“The sheer scale of destruction exposes shocking negligence and substandard workmanship by agencies entrusted with public safety. The damage to bridges and roads of NHAI is not merely a natural disaster issue, but a clear indictment of systemic negligence and poor construction. We hold the NHAI accountable and seek concrete answers,” he asserted.