Temporary diversion along Wahibugh Pulwama bridge fails
Locals, farmers in distress
Pulwama: After the Wahibugh Pulwama bridge was damaged in recent floods in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, a temporary diversion was constructed but it didn’t last for even a week.
The bridge, which connects multiple villages and serves as an important link between south and central Kashmir, was declared unsafe for vehicular movement after sustaining heavy structural damage during September floods.
Following the damage, the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department constructed a temporary diversion to restore basic connectivity. However, the diversion collapsed within few days of its completion, forcing hundreds of commuters, including farmers and students, to take risky routes to reach their destinations.
Despite repeated warnings from authorities, several drivers continue to use the partially damaged bridge, raising serious safety concerns.
The closure has come at a critical time when Pulwama’s apple and vegetable farmers are in the middle of the harvesting season.
With the bridge serving as the main access route to markets in Srinagar and central Kashmir, its closure has disrupted transport, causing substantial economic losses.
Local resident Ghulam Rasool alleged that the administration’s inaction against illegal mining activities, which he believes contributed to the damage.
“Farmers are the worst sufferers because they cannot carry apples and vegetables to markets on time. This situation could have been avoided if illegal mining in local streams was curbed. Authorities ignored this issue for years, and now we are paying the price,” he said.
The Wahibugh bridge also holds historical significance — during the catastrophic 2014 floods, it was the only functioning bridge that kept Pulwama connected with central Kashmir when other routes were washed away.
Now, a decade later, locals find themselves once again cut off, forced to take lengthy detours or risk crossing the damaged structure. Many commuters accuse the government of negligence and demand immediate restoration.
With the apple season in full swing, growers warn that continued inaccessibility will deepen financial distress. They have urged the administration to restore connectivity on a priority basis, even through a robust temporary structure if permanent repairs take time.
They said that the temporary bridge must be strong and it shouldn’t get away with little rain as last one did.
