Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, June 11: The Qamarwari Bridge extension project in Srinagar, a crucial link for the city, continues to be a significant concern for commuters who endure hours of traffic snarls at the congested Qamarwari junction.
The Qamarwari bridge extension project has been under construction for the past 14 years, causing significant distress for commuters. Although initial issues such as financial constraints, land acquisition, and a prolonged deadlock over the relocation of a mosque have been resolved, the project remains unfinished.
Commuters accuse the administration of being insensitive to their plight. “The Bridge has been under construction for 14 years with no end in sight. Officials come to assess the situation but leave without taking action. Many patients have died because they couldn’t reach the hospital on time due to daily hours-long traffic jams on this bridge,” Abdul Gani, a Qamarwari resident, expressed his frustration. Click here to watch video
The existing bridge, known as the “Cement Bridge,” holds historical importance as the first concrete bridge over the Jhelum River in the Valley. However, with time and the increase in traffic the bridge is proving insufficient to cater to the rush of traffic playing through it on daily basis and it has become a major source of inconvenience for commuters due to frequent traffic jams in the congested Qamarwari area of Srinagar.
In 2011, recognizing the need to address the massive traffic congestion and accommodate the increasing flow of vehicles, a new 127-meter bridge was sanctioned adjacent to the existing one. Despite nearly 14 years having passed, the bridge remains incomplete, missing several deadlines over the years. The bridge plays a crucial role in connecting the Old City, Soura, Hazratbal, and Ganderbal areas with north Kashmir, Qamarwari, and Batamaloo.
Shabir Ahmad, Executive Engineer Roads and buildings department Srinagar said that the project has faced numerous setbacks and delays for various reasons, including the devastating floods of 2014, land acquisition issues. “There were a lot of issues confronting the project. First, there was the issue of land acquisition, then the floods of 2014, which delayed the project. The main cause was land acquisition, but the work is likely to be finished by August this year. Once the bridge is complete, all the issues of traffic jams will be resolved,” he said.
Another official added that a major hurdle was the prolonged deadlock over the relocation of a local Masjid obstructing construction. “After years of negotiations, the Muslim community in the area finally reached an agreement to relocate the 40-year-old mosque to pave the way for the long-awaited bridge over Jhelum in Srinagar,” he said.
As the completion of the Qamarwari Bridge project remains uncertain, commuters and residents hope for swift action from the government and a concerted effort from all stakeholders to expedite construction.
A resident of Chatabal said that the bridge construction has been lingering for the last 14 years and during this time, the government has completed several projects, like the Bemina flyover, which started after this bridge and is about to be completed.
“So many officers have come and gone, but no one has paid any attention to this issue. People coming from north Kashmir face a lot of issues as this bridge also connects to the SKIMS hospital, and patients usually get stuck for hours here as the authorities failed to expand the bridge. We request the authorities to complete the pending work on the bridge,” he said.
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