Ganderbal: Repair work has commenced on the bridge over Nallah Sindh in the Sumbal Bala area of Gund tehsil in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. The bridge had been in a dilapidated condition for several years, prompting the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department to undertake restoration work.
The bridge was constructed nearly three decades ago over Nallah Sindh. Over the years, its condition deteriorated significantly, posing a serious risk to motorists and commuters using the route.
Local residents said they had repeatedly raised the issue with the authorities, following which the bridge was declared unsafe. Gund Police also classified the bridge as unsafe and imposed a complete ban on the movement of heavy vehicles across it, although light motor vehicles continued to use the structure.
Residents further said they had demanded the construction of a completely new bridge from the government, the concerned authorities instead of temporary repairs.
On Saturday, the concerned department finally started repair work on the bridge. Following the commencement of work, SHO Gund personally visited the site and imposed a complete restriction on the movement of both pedestrians and vehicles. He said no one would be allowed to use the bridge until the repair work is completed and urged the public to remain patient and cooperate with the authorities.
The bridge serves as a vital lifeline, connecting not only Sumbal Bala and neighbouring villages but also a large part of Gund tehsil.
Locals said the bridge is also strategically important for the Srinagar-Leh National Highway. Whenever the highway is blocked due to landslides or road accidents, traffic is diverted through this route and bridge.
Meanwhile, residents once again appealed to the Chief Minister and the MLA Kangan to sanction the construction of a new concrete bridge instead of limiting the work to repairs, saying a permanent structure would prevent future inconvenience and ensure public safety.
