Omar criticises decision to ask Army to construct overhead

Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah today criticised the decision to ask Army to construct an overhead bridge in Mumbai saying the force seems to have turned into first responder.

“The army was to be a measure of last resort to be called upon in extreme emergency. Now it seems like it s the 1st (first) number on the speed dial,” Omar wrote on Twitter.

He was responding to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s statement justifying use of the Army in constructing the foot over bridge.

“Probably first time asked Army to come in to build what could otherwise be called civil work, but Elphinstone tragedy was so big,” the Defence Minister reportedly said during her visit to the Elphinstone station.

Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devender Fadnavis announced that Army will construct the foot overbridge at Elphinstone station where a stampede left 23 people dead last month.

PTI