*The disappearance of Kaushal Kumar in flash floods near an under-construction bridge at Gadigarh has sparked a political battleground as bureaucratic failure and unfinished infrastructure haunt the community.*

April 30, 2024

||Black and White Digital News||

In the early hours of today, chaos erupted near the SDM South Gadigarh office, as locals converged at the site of an incomplete bridge over Balol Nallah. The air was thick with frustration and anxiety following reports of Kaushal Kumar’s disappearance, witnessed by a laborer who saw him being swept away by the unforgiving waters.

In a twist of fate, both the Tehsildar’s and SDM’s offices were shuttered when distressed residents sought help. Tehsildar South, Arti Bhardwaj, responded to public outcry, stating that she and the SDM were attending urgent matters at the DC office since 7:00 am, leaving the crowd disillusioned and angry.

As tensions peaked, an angry mob resorted to locking down the Tehsildar’s office, denouncing the apparent neglect of local concerns. The focal point of their ire was the perpetually delayed bridge construction, a saga dating back to 2020, despite numerous pleas to expedite the project.

Amidst the turmoil, political factions from the BJP and Congress engaged in a heated standoff, exchanging accusations and blame. Notably absent were prominent BJP figures, including the former MLA and MP, adding fuel to the community’s discontent.

Adding salt to the wound, the absence of key political figures raised eyebrows, with accusations flying that if this were a political rally, they would have descended upon the scene. MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, Kavinder Gupta, and Raman Bhalla were notably absent.

The saga begs the question: why is this bridge still unfinished, and who is accountable? Calls for a thorough investigation into the bridge’s status and potential contractor misconduct have resounded, with demands for license revocation if negligence is proven.

This incident serves as a clarion call to the administration, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and responsiveness. It lays bare the consequences of bureaucratic indifference amidst a community grappling with tragedy and unresolved infrastructure issues.

As Gadigarh reels from this storm of events, the missing Kaushal Kumar remains a poignant reminder of the stakes involved and the urgency of effective governance. The ball is now in the court of the authorities to heed this wake-up call and take meaningful action.