Trenz bridge turns into a stunt arena, sparking fears among locals
Residents urge district administration to step in before disaster strikes
Shopian: The recently constructed Trenz bridge in south Kashmir’s Shopian district—envisioned as a crucial lifeline for residents and orchardists—has unexpectedly become a magnet for stunt bikers, raising serious safety concerns among the local population.
Instead of serving solely as an important link for travel and transportation, the bridge has turned into a weekend playground for reckless riders who use the stretch to perform wheelies, race at dangerous speeds, and carry out other life-threatening manoeuvres.
Local residents say the situation has worsened over the past few weeks, particularly on Sundays when groups of youth from nearby areas gather at the bridge to showcase stunts.
“The bridge has sadly become a hotspot for thrill-seekers. These young stunt and rush riders zoom across the bridge at extremely high speeds, putting everyone around at risk,” said Abdul Rahim, a local resident. “It is only a matter of time before a serious accident takes place.”
Another resident, Farooq Ahmad, said the community has repeatedly tried to dissuade the bikers from misusing the bridge, but their appeals have been ignored.
“We have approached them many times and requested them to stop these dangerous activities. But they simply don’t listen. Our concerns are brushed aside as if public safety doesn’t matter,” he said.
The residents fear that the bridge—located in a busy area used daily by pedestrians, schoolchildren, and vehicles—could soon witness a tragedy if timely intervention is not made.
Worried by the growing menace, locals have now issued an urgent appeal to the district administration. They have requested strict monitoring on the bridge and strong action against violators.
“We earnestly appeal to the District Magistrate Shopian and the SSP Shopian to deploy a dedicated team or carry out regular patrolling on this stretch,” said another resident. “We don’t want to wait for an accident to happen. Preventive measures must be taken immediately.”
The Trenz Bridge, completed recently after years of public demand and delays, was expected to ease connectivity issues and facilitate movement for villagers and fruit growers. However, residents say its wide, open design and minimal traffic flow are being exploited by youngsters who treat it as a stunt platform rather than a public utility.
Locals warn that unless firm action is taken, the bridge will continue to pose a growing threat to all those who rely on it daily. They hope the authorities will respond swiftly to restore safety and ensure that the bridge serves its intended purpose—facilitating movement, not endangering lives.
