Bandipora, Apr 10 (KNO): Several dilapidated iron bridges along key routes in north Kashmir's Bandipora district have become a growing concern for commuters, locals and officials alike.
With some of these bridges witnessing frequent VIP movement, military convoys, and regular public traffic, the crumbling infrastructure now poses a serious safety risk.
Among the most affected is the iron bridge at Naninara Sumbal, located on the vital Bandipora-Srinagar road. This bridge, which has long shown signs of wear and tear, is now in a severely deteriorated condition. Large cracks, rusted joints and shaky supports have made it increasingly dangerous for both pedestrians and vehicular traffic.
Another iron bridge at Guroora, also on the Bandipora-Srinagar road, has been damaged multiple times in the past, yet no substantial repair work or replacement has been undertaken.
“Every time it rains or a heavy vehicle passes, we fear the bridge might collapse. It's been patched up too many times, but we need a permanent solution,” said Abdul Hameed, a local shopkeeper near the site.
In Chattibandi-Aragam, a similar situation persists. The iron bridge on this route, being used frequently by security forces and local commuters shows extensive rusting and structural fatigue.
Residents of the area said that schoolchildren and the elderly are often forced to cross with extreme caution, fearing sudden collapse or injury.
“These are not just any village paths; they are lifelines for Bandipora, connecting major areas and facilitating administrative, military, and public movement,” said Fayaz Ahmad, a daily commuter. “We don’t want to wait for a tragedy to happen before authorities take notice.”
Locals said that concrete bridges should replace these outdated iron structures to ensure long-term durability and safety. They said that while smaller villages across Kashmir are getting upgraded road infrastructure, Bandipora's key routes remain neglected.
Meanwhile, locals have urged both the Sonawari and Bandipora MLAs to look into the matter and ensure prompt action is taken, so that commuters no longer have to suffer due to the deteriorating condition of these crucial bridges—(KNO)