Temporary diversion to be constructed at Wahibugh–Pulwama road: MLA Rajpora
Pulwama: In a bid to provide immediate relief to the people of Pulwama facing hardships due to the closure of the Wahibugh bridge, MLA Rajpora, Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Mir, on Wednesday said that a temporary diversion will be constructed within the next few days.
The announcement came during Mir’s visit to the flood-damaged site, where he was accompanied by senior officials of the Roads & Buildings (R&B) Department.
The officials assured him that the diversion work would be executed on a war footing to ensure safe and hassle-free movement for commuters.
“The government is committed to ensuring smooth connectivity for our people. While long-term restoration works are being expedited, a temporary diversion is a necessary step to minimize inconvenience to the public. People’s cooperation during this phase is equally important,” Mir said.
The recent floods in Jammu and Kashmir wreaked havoc on Pulwama’s infrastructure, leaving behind widespread destruction. Official data reveals that 11 bridges in the district suffered damage, with 10 partially affected, disrupting vital road connectivity. Among them, the Wahibugh bridge, which connects several villages and serves as a crucial link between south and central Kashmir, was declared unsafe and closed for traffic after sustaining heavy structural damage.
Executive Engineer R&B Pulwama, Javid Ahmad said that our inspection teams found significant structural damage to the bridge, making it unsafe for vehicular movement. The estimated cost of restoration runs into crores, and until proper repairs are undertaken, the bridge will remain closed.
The closure of the bridge has left residents, especially farmers, struggling. With Pulwama being a hub of apple and vegetable production, the disruption has hampered farmers’ ability to transport their produce to markets.
Ghulam Rasool, a local resident, voiced the concerns of many: “Farmers are the worst sufferers because they cannot carry apples and vegetables to markets on time. The damage could have been avoided if illegal mining in local streams was curbed. Authorities have ignored this issue for years, and now we are paying the price.”
The Wahibugh bridge also holds historic importance for the area. During the devastating 2014 floods, it was the only functional bridge that kept Pulwama connected to central Kashmir. .
With the ongoing apple harvesting season at its peak, growers have urged the administration to restore connectivity without delay. They warn that continued inaccessibility will lead to huge financial losses, further compounding the economic impact of the floods.
MLA Mir assured locals that while permanent restoration of the bridge is being planned, the immediate priority is to provide relief through the construction of the temporary diversion.
