Jammu: Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar Thursday chaired a meeting to review the steps taken by the department for strengthening the structure of 4th Tawi Bridge and restoration of approaches that were damaged during the last floods.

Commissioner Secretary Public Works (R&B) Sanjeev Verma, Secretary Technical cum Development Commissioner Works, Bimal Tickoo, Chief Engineer PWD (R&B) Jammu Sudheer Shah, Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B) Kashmir Sheikh Hamid, Managing Director JKPCC Syed Nayeem Ahmad, Superintending Engineer Hydraulic Circle Jammu K K Mangotra and other engineers of the department were present in the meeting.

Dispelling apprehensions about the safety of the 4th Tawi Bridge, the Minister assured the commuters and general public that bridge is safe and the department is stabilizing the minor damages caused due to floods.

He directed the department to engage a reputed bridge consultant for conducting safety audit and designing protection works after the work on the Tawi barrage is completed.

He further instructed for getting the hydraulic model study of the bridge be done by a pioneer institution for overall bridge structure and work in consultation with Design, Inspection and Quality Control (DIQC) Department for taking appropriate measures on the technical aspect of the works.

After discussing the steps to be taken for further strengthening the bridge, the Minister also visited the site and directed the engineers to maintain quality in execution of works.

Pertinently, the 4th Tawi Bridge was constructed in 2013 and its approaches were damaged during the floods in 2014. Consequently, the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti had ordered an inquiry into the construction of the structure.

The final report presented by the Technical Committee was also discussed in the meeting.

It was informed that the department has taken up the stabilizing and restoration works on both the approaches of the Bridge. The officers from PHE, I&FC Department informed that the works on vulnerable spots on the barrage have been started and would be completed soon.

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