Steel bridge in Kishtwar damaged, traffic suspended on Paddar road

Ramban, Jan 17: Traffic on the vital Paddar road in Kishtwar district of Chenab Valley was suspended after a bridge over a stream between Kijiye and Kundan sustained significant damage, reportedly due to the movement of a heavily-loaded vehicle, officials said on Saturday.

The incident occurred late Saturday afternoon when an overloaded dumper crossed the bridge, causing structural damage and raising serious safety concerns.

Following the incident, authorities closed the road to avert any mishap and ensure public safety.

The Paddar road is a crucial lifeline for residents of the remote Paddar region, connecting them to the district headquarters at Kishtwar.

The sudden closure has severely disrupted the movement of essential supplies, public transport, and daily commuters, causing inconvenience to the locals.

Officials from the district administration and concerned departments said that a detailed assessment of the damage was currently underway.

Repair and restoration work would begin after technical evaluations are completed.

Traffic would remain suspended until the bridge is declared structurally safe.

“Given the extent of the damage, allowing traffic at this stage would pose a serious risk. The safety of commuters is our priority,” an official said. “Even after partial restoration, heavy vehicles will not be allowed unless the bridge’s structural stability is fully ensured.”

The administration has advised commuters to avoid the affected stretch and adhere to official advisories regarding alternative arrangements and road reopening.

Residents have also been urged to cooperate with authorities during the repair period.

Meanwhile, an engineer from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), who inspected the site, told locals that efforts were underway to restore connectivity through a newly-constructed alternate bridge.

He said work was being expedited to ensure early restoration of the road access to the Paddar area.