Baramulla residents demand urgent repair of Khanpora Bridge railings

Baramulla, Oct 4: The residents of Baramulla town have expressed serious concern over the absence of safety railings on the Khanpora Bridge, connecting the old town with the Civil Lines area.

The missing railings pose a serious risk to pedestrians, particularly children and the elderly, who use the bridge daily. Despite repeated appeals, the authorities have failed to address the issue, leaving the bridge in a dangerous state.

Shameema Bano, a resident of Tawheed Gunj, while voicing her anger, said, "It has been four years that the bridge is without the railings on this side. Our children cross it every day, and it's terrifying to think that due to one wrong step they can fall into the river Jhelum The authorities are acting like mute spectators despite the clear danger.”

The Khanpora Bridge, constructed over a decade ago, serves as a crucial connectivity route for residents of Baramulla, including those from the Drangbal area. The bridge stretches over the mighty river Jhelum, making the absence of safety barriers a grave concern for the community.

Muhammad Afaq, a local resident, said, "Every time my son has to cross the bridge. I worry about his safety. I often accompany him, but it is not always possible. The authorities need to act now before something tragic happens."

Many parents echo this fear, stating that they feel compelled to accompany their children to ensure their safety as they head to school or tuition centres. However, not all families can manage this on a daily basis.

Ghulam Hassan, an elderly resident, also highlighted the risks faced by senior citizens. "For some of the elderly personscrossing this bridge feels like a death trap. The authorities are well aware of the situation but seem to have no urgency in addressing it," he said.

Local businesses are also feeling the impact, as the bridge is a significant link between various parts of the town. "This bridge is vital for the local economy and for people moving between the old town and the civil lines. It is unacceptable that such an important structure has been left unsafe for so long," said a shopkeeper from the area.

The Sikh community of the Baramulla town too has expressed concern over the condition of the bridge. While talking to Greater Kashmir, Sardar Kulwant Singh said that most of the community members use this bridge to reach Gurdwara Chatti Padshahi, on daily basis.

He said in the early morning, the community members male and female prefer to travel on foot to reach the Gurdwara. He said among the visitors there are elderly people, male and female besides children. He said the bridge poses threat for the pedestrians in absence of the railings. And any mistake can cause serious threat to the life of an individual, he added.

“It is dangerous for the Pedestrians who use the sideway of the bridge while walking on it,” said Sardar Kulwant Singh. “The dangerous looms large for the senior citizens besides children using this bridge,” he added.

The residents are now calling for immediate action, demanding that the authorities replace the missing railings without further delay. They fear that if their concerns continue to be ignored, it could result in a tragic accident.

"We have been waiting for too long. It is time for the administration to step up and prioritise the safety of the people who rely on this bridge daily," said Bashir Ahmad, a local resident.