Vital Sangam bridge goes under repair, traffic again faces diversion
Residents demand probe into need for frequent works
Anantnag: For the sixth time in just a few months, authorities have once again diverted traffic on the Sangam stretch of the National Highway to facilitate repairs on the old bridge—triggering anger and frustration among locals, commuters, and daily travellers who say they are being forced to bear the brunt of repeated, poorly-planned repair works.
Traffic on the busy highway has been diverted again after fresh repair work began on the bridge just a few months after similar repairs were completed. The diversion, locals say, has become a routine occurrence.
“Every two months this bridge goes under repair,” locals said.
Residents of Sangam and daily commuters said that the bridge has been repaired at least six times in the last two years each time resulting in closure of one side and forcing the entire traffic load onto the adjacent bridge.
“This old bridge on the National Highway has undergone repairs several times in just two years,” said Shahid Khan, a Sangam resident.
“What we don’t understand is why the work done a month or two ago is dismantled again and carried out again. This needs a proper investigation. If the bridge needs major repairs, why not do it in one go instead of repeating the same process again and again?” he questioned.
With all vehicles funnelled onto a single bridge, the area has been witnessing long, choking traffic jams stretching for kilometres.
Commuters say they spend hours stuck, struggling to reach workplaces, hospitals, schools, or important appointments.
Aamir Hussian, a government employee, said the frequent diversions have turned the commute into a daily nightmare.
“Employees are reaching late to offices, students are missing classes, and even patients and elderly people are forced to sit in traffic for hours. Little children get irritated and exhausted while waiting in long queues of vehicles,” he said.
Residents and passengers expressed deep concern about the quality of the repair work being carried out. Many questioned why the repaired surface fails so quickly, compelling authorities to start fresh work every few weeks.
“The government must ensure that the repair work is durable and completed properly in one go. Repeating the same patchwork every few weeks shows something is seriously wrong—either with the material, the planning, or the execution,” commuters said.
Locals have urged the Deputy Commissioner Anantnag to personally look into the matter and order an inquiry into the recurring repairs.
They requested that the concerned authorities be directed to adopt a comprehensive and long-term repair plan so the public is not pushed into inconvenience repeatedly.
