Wooden lifeline or deathtrap? Mawer residents plead for safe bridge

Kupwara, Oct 12: Residents of Mawer in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district are living with a daily reminder of neglect: a makeshift wooden bridge that connects Reshwari with Inderdaji over the fast-flowing Mawer Nallah. For years, this fragile structure has been the only lifeline for over a hundred households, yet it poses a constant threat to the people who rely on it. Despite repeated complaints, authorities have yet to construct a proper concrete bridge, leaving villagers to navigate a perilous crossing every day.

“The wooden bridge is extremely dangerous. Children, elderly, and women feel unsafe each time they cross it. The water flows fast, especially during rains and snowmelt, and we are terrified,” said Abdul Rashid, a resident of Reshwari.

School-going children face the highest risk, as their school lies on the opposite bank of the nallah. “Every morning, we are anxious. The bridge has no side railings, and a few years ago, a child from our village tragically drowned after falling into the nallah,” said another local, highlighting the life-threatening danger.

The makeshift bridge is not only a threat to safety but also a barrier to everyday life. Villagers say transporting goods, accessing healthcare, and commuting for work becomes a struggle, especially during heavy rainfall or snowfall when the wooden planks become slippery and unstable.

“Our village has been left to face these hardships alone. The successive governments have failed to address this issue despite repeated appeals,” said Rashid. Residents also said they have formally reported the problem to the district authorities numerous times but have received no concrete response.

Local shopkeeper Farooq Ahmed added, “The bridge is not just an inconvenience; it affects our livelihoods. Transporting goods across this rickety structure is risky, and many people avoid coming to the area because of it.”

The villagers are now appealing to Langate MLA Sheikh Khursheed to allocate funds for a concrete bridge. “We urge the authorities to intervene before another tragic incident occurs. A permanent bridge would not only ensure the safety of our children and elderly but also improve connectivity and economic activity in the area,” said a resident.

Mawer’s predicament underscores a wider challenge in rural Kashmir, where decades of infrastructure neglect leave communities exposed to basic hazards. Until authorities act, the wooden bridge remains a dangerous lifeline, balancing daily survival on a few planks over a rushing river.