Damaged home windows, broken flooring, burnt cabins take sheen off revamped Zero Bridge

Srinagar, Jan 16: Damaged home windows, broken wood flooring and burnt cabins paint a disheartening image of revamped Zero Bridge right here.

Constructed as a scenic walkthrough many years in the past, the bridge was rebuilt and promoted as a heritage vacation spot.

Reconstructed and refurbished by the Jammu and Kashmir Initiatives Development Company Restricted (JKCCC) at a value of Rs 11 crore, the bridge attracted vacationers and locals alike, providing a novel viewpoint and a connection between Rajbagh and Sonwar.

However over time, the bridge has turn into a goal for miscreants, leaving residents involved about its security amid insufficient safety measures.

The involved division is struggling to curb the vandalism, with every incident not solely defacing the bridge however burdening town’s already strained finances for growth works.

Repeated incidents of vandalism have ignited a blame sport, with varied departments passing the buck, leaving the bridge’s destiny hanging within the stability.

The Tourism division and the Roads and Buildings division each deny possession of the enduring bridge, whereas the Good Metropolis Venture claims it falls underneath a contractor’s accountability.

Director Tourism Division and Chief Engineer R&B division informed Better Kashmir that the bridge was not taken care of by them.

Good Metropolis officers stated that the bridge is underneath the contractor who takes care of it for the reason that starting.

Nevertheless repeated acts of vandalism have left residents fuming and anxious in regards to the authorities’ inaction.

“It’s disheartening to witness the degradation of an emblem that after showcased the wealthy heritage of our area. The authorities must cease the blame sport and take concrete steps to guard our cultural property from additional hurt,” stated a delegation of native residents.

“With every act of vandalism, the bridge loses a chunk of its historical past, and we lose part of our identification,” they stated.

They stated that earlier this bridge was misused by drug addicts as effectively. “This bridge ought to fall underneath a particular division. Yearly, issues with the bridge persist. These chargeable for the injury must be held accountable and face strict punishment,” locals stated.

The bridge was constructed within the Nineteen Fifties by then Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister of erstwhile state, Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad. It was closed for site visitors motion within the Eighties after bunkers have been arrange on either side of the bridge.