The Question of a Bridge Across the Jhelum

The question of constructing a bridge or flyover connecting Convent Road to Residency or Maulana Azad Road across the Jhelum is not new. It is a debate that Srinagar has lived with for nearly half a century—reflecting both the city’s complex planning legacy and the recurring uncertainty that often clouds urban decision-making in Kashmir.

The Early Vision: Master Plan 1971–91

The idea first appeared in the Srinagar Master Plan 1971–91, which envisaged two arterial roads running parallel to the Jhelum—one along the northern bank and another on the southern side. The two were to be linked by a bridge-cum-flyover between Residency and M.A. Roads to improve east–west connectivity in the city’s congested core.

While the approach roads were developed over time, the bridge itself never materialized. Work began briefly in 1986, following years of design preparation. A well foundation was completed on the Grindlays (now J&K Bank) side, and another was half done when the government abruptly halted construction. The reasons were never made public, and for decades the unfinished structure stood as a silent reminder of Srinagar’s many interrupted plans.

Revival and Resistance (2011–2012)

After a long lull, the project resurfaced around 2011–12, when the Roads and Buildings Department under Engineer Mushtaq Lone revived the idea—this time proposing a bridge connecting Convent Road directly with M.A. Road. However, the alignment was slightly skewed, and the project soon ran into controversy.

Several civil society groups and the Convent School management raised concerns about the bridge’s proximity to the school, citing safety and environmental issues. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the J&K High Court by noted cultural activist Zareef Ahmad Zareef, challenging the proposal.

A series of meetings were held under the chairmanship of the then Chief Secretary, Late Iqbal Khanday, who sought a fresh technical review. Eventually, the High Court dismissed the PIL and fined the petitioner, allowing the Roads and Buildings Department to proceed—though the bridge’s linkage to the Fakhri Kashmir Bridge (near Sangarmal) was dropped.

Policy Shifts After the 2014 Floods

The project took another turn when the bridge deck began to take shape. Under the Mehbooba Mufti government, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department raised objections, citing potential disruption to the Jhelum’s flow and risk to flood management—concerns that were curiously absent when it had earlier cleared the project.

A review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister led to a significant change: the bridge, originally designed for vehicles, was to be converted into a pedestrian bridge. The decision, while politically expedient, seemed more a compromise than a technical solution, leaving the project suspended between competing priorities.

Back to the Starting Point (2025)

Fast forward to 2025, and the story has come full circle. Reports indicate that the government now intends to reinstate the original plan—to construct a vehicular bridge over what was reclassified as a pedestrian bridge, connecting Convent Road to Fakhri Kashmir Bridge.

However, crucial details remain unavailable. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) has not been shared publicly, leaving citizens, professionals, and civic groups uncertain about the bridge’s design, traffic implications, and environmental impact.

The Deeper Problem: Continuity and Transparency

The bridge saga, spanning five decades, is more than an engineering or design issue. It illustrates a chronic lack of continuity in planning, an absence of institutional memory, and a tendency to treat major infrastructure projects as administrative experiments or political statements rather than outcomes of rigorous urban policy.

Every new administration appears to approach Srinagar’s planning canvas as if starting afresh, disregarding accumulated knowledge, prior decisions, and public sentiment. The result is repetition, confusion, and a widening trust deficit between the government and the governed.

Balancing Connectivity and Conservation

The real question is not whether Srinagar needs another bridge across the Jhelum—it is whether the city can afford yet another project conceived without holistic consultation, transparency, and environmental prudence.

Urban planning in a heritage city like Srinagar demands sensitivity to its layered history, fragile ecology, and constrained riverine geography. The Jhelum is not just a channel for traffic or water—it is the historical and ecological spine of the city. Any intervention along its banks must be guided by hydrological assessments, heritage considerations, and an integrated mobility framework.

A Call for Open Consultation

As a matter of principle, the government should place the DPRs of all major projects—including the Convent–Residency Bridge, Lal Chowk–Parimpora Flyover, and Boulevard Road widening—in the public domain. This would allow professionals, academic institutions, and citizens to engage in informed debate and ensure that decisions are technically sound and publicly legitimate.

A Bridge Beyond Concrete

Srinagar deserves infrastructure that connects more than roads—it should connect communities, disciplines, and visions. The Convent Bridge could still be an opportunity to demonstrate thoughtful planning, provided it is approached with openness, technical rigor, and respect for the city’s unique socio-ecological context.

Otherwise, what could have been a bridge of utility might well become another monument to indecision—or worse, a monumental mistake in the making.

The author is an urban and transport planner with over three decades of experience in regional and metropolitan planning, including major projects in Jammu and Kashmir.