Wayil Bridge in Ganderbal safe: Officials

Ganderbal, Dec 30: Authorities on Monday clarified that the Wayil bridge in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district is safe despite concerns raised by a video shared on social media which appeared to show cracks in the vital bridge.

The video was uploaded on social media by a local resident and social activist, Showket Hussain which showed cracks in the approach road, raising concerns over safety of the vital 110 metre span arch type steel girder state of the art bridge that was constructed and thrown open a few months ago.

However, Executive Engineer R&B Ganderbal, Er Tatheer Ahmed told Greater Kashmir that the Wayil bridge is safe and there is nothing to worry about its safety. “There is a minor separation in the flexible portion of the approach road of the Wayil bridge, rest the main bridge is alright and it is absolutely safe,” he said. Notably, the Wayil Bridge constructed over nallah Sindh along the Srinagar-Leh highway in Ganderbal district is a vital link that connects the twin Union territories of J&K and Ladakh. The bridge, constructed using a unique combination of truss and arch bridge elements and girders, is a vital link for the people of Ganderbal, replacing the old single-lane bridge-that caused frequent traffic jams and delays. The bridge is vital given its importance of connecting Kashmir and Ladakh besides tourists and pilgrims use same route for visiting Sonamarg and during annual Amarnath yatra. The people have urged the concerned authorities to take necessary measures so that the cracks visible in the approach road doesn’t spread and cause any damage.