Shopian, Oct 19: Residents of several villages in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district are facing severe difficulties after a portion of the bridge over the Romshi River in the Wahibugh area was damaged, leaving local inhabitants cut off from essential services and daily commuting routes.
According to residents, a section of the bridge’s embankment was damaged during recent flash floods, prompting authorities to declare it unsafe. The damage has disrupted access to schools, healthcare facilities, markets, and workplaces, forcing residents to rely on lengthy alternative routes.
“We have to divert our fruit-laden trucks through longer roads, which increases our input costs significantly,” said Mohammad Altaf, a resident and social worker.
Many residents said that authorities had constructed a temporary diversion after the floods, but it too was washed away by subsequent rains. “Our children have to face a lot of difficulties to attend their schools,” said residents of Chewa Kurdh. They added that patients have to take long detours to reach hospitals, creating further hardships.
Javed Ahmad, Executive Engineer, R&B, told Greater Kashmir that the foundation of the bridge was exposed, prompting authorities to declare it unsafe. “Public safety is our priority,” he said.
Ahmad, however, said that the department had rebuilt the diversion for the convenience of residents. “Meanwhile, the department has submitted the estimate for repairing the foundation. The work will be tendered out once we receive the necessary approval,” he added.
