Budgam, Dec 2: The Chadoora bridge — an essential link connecting Srinagar with Charar-i-Sharif, Yousmarg and several parts of Budgam and Pulwama — has been declared unsafe, prompting authorities to halt all vehicular movement and raising public concern over structural and environmental failures.
Officials ordered the closure of the bridge over the Doodh Ganga stream on Friday after technical experts reported significant damage, attributed partly to recent floods. Both heavy and light vehicles have been barred from using the bridge since.
Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, Chairman of the Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement, has appealed to the Accountant General (AG) of J&K to initiate an inquiry and conduct a fresh performance and environmental audit of the bridge as well as the Doodh Ganga waterway.
“For the last two months the bridge was okay after the September floods, but during the past two weeks it developed snags due to damage to the middle pillar,” Dr. Muzaffar said in a statement. He blamed engineering faults and manmade interventions, including excessive riverbed mining and embankment filling, for destabilising the structure.
“The 50-meter-wide Doodh Ganga has been forced through a 10-meter-wide canal for years, creating tremendous pressure,” he said, adding that a comprehensive audit is essential to assess both structural integrity and environmental degradation.
The bridge had also suffered major damage during the 2014 floods and was repaired afterward. A diversion bridge constructed nearby—also damaged in 2014—remains unrestored, forcing residents to rely on narrow village roads to reach Chadoora and Charar-i-Sharif.
Dr. Muzaffar urged the Army to intervene, saying their assistance could help restore the diversion route quickly.
“We demand that the diversion bridge be immediately restored. The Army can play a big role in this. I appeal to the GOC 15 Corps and 53 RR to help restore traffic through Chadoora,” he stated.
Local residents fear prolonged disruption if urgent measures are not taken, as the Chadoora bridge serves as a key transportation artery for the region.
