Decade-long wait ends: 16-metre motorable bridge sanctioned for Larmoh village in Awantipora
Pulwama: Bringing relief to the residents of Larmoh village in Awantipora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, the government has sanctioned the construction of a 1×16-metre light motorable bridge, ending years of uncertainty over a vital link that had remained in a dilapidated condition for nearly a decade.
The approval has been widely welcomed by locals, who had repeatedly raised the issue and sought immediate intervention for the reconstruction of the bridge, describing it as a lifeline connecting Larmoh with neighbouring villages and essential public facilities.
The bridge had remained in a damaged and unsafe condition for almost ten years, forcing residents to either cross the risky structure or take long alternative routes to reach schools, hospitals, markets and government offices.
Residents said the sanction of the new bridge has rekindled hope among hundreds of families who had been struggling due to the lack of proper connectivity.
“We are grateful that our long-pending demand has finally been acknowledged. This bridge is not just a development project; it is a necessity for our daily lives. We hope the construction begins without any delay,” Arshid Ahmad a local resident said.
Another villager said that students, patients, farmers and elderly people were among the worst affected due to the damaged bridge.
“For years our children crossed the unsafe bridge every day to attend school while patients had to suffer during emergencies. The sanction of this bridge has brought immense relief to the entire village,” he said.
Residents recalled that they had repeatedly approached the district administration and the concerned departments over the years, urging them to reconstruct the bridge before any tragedy occurred. During heavy rainfall and rising water levels, the damaged structure often became unsafe, disrupting movement and isolating the village.
Locals expressed hope that the authorities would now expedite the tendering and execution process so that the project is completed within the stipulated timeframe.
They also thanked MLA Waheed Para and administration for approving the bridge and urged officials to ensure quality construction, saying the new motorable bridge would significantly improve connectivity, facilitate transportation of agricultural produce, and provide safer access to educational and healthcare institutions.
The sanction of the 1×16-metre light motorable bridge is expected to benefit not only the residents of Larmoh but also people from adjoining areas who depend on the route for their daily commute, marking the end of a decade-long struggle for safe and reliable connectivity.
