Chadoora Bridge Closure Enters Third Month, Residents Face Hardship | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The closure of the vital Chadoora bridge in Budgam has entered its third month, disrupting connectivity between Srinagar, Charar-i-Sharif and Yousmarg, with residents alleging delays in the installation of a temporary Bailey bridge and facing severe hardships due to restricted movement.

The bridge has remained shut to traffic since November 28, 2025, after sustaining structural damage during floods, forcing commuters to rely on alternative routes that locals say are narrow, congested and unsafe.

Residents said that the prolonged closure has led to frequent traffic jams and difficult commuting conditions. Some commuters, unaware of the diversion, have attempted to cross the river directly, risking their lives.

“Sometimes, people who are unaware of the alternative route attempt to cross the flowing river and end up stranded in the water for hours, especially during these cold winter days,” a local resident said.

Nazir Ahmad, another resident, recalled a recent incident in which an auto-rickshaw became stuck while attempting to cross the river. “An auto tried to cross the river in the evening as the occupants did not know about the alternative route via the college side. They remained stuck in the river for hours. We are thankful to the Chadoora police, who helped rescue them and saved their lives,” he said.

Residents said the administration has opened an alternative route from the New Bus Adda side, but the road’s limited width has resulted in heavy congestion. They said students are reaching educational institutions late, while patients, including pregnant women and elderly persons, are struggling to reach hospitals on time.

Another local, Yaqoob Ahmad, said that despite repeated assurances from the administration regarding the installation of a Bailey bridge, the work remains incomplete more than two months after the closure.

“On January 27, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said that the department had assured him the Bailey bridge would be completed soon, yet 17 days later, the work remains unfinished,” he said.

Residents have urged the government to expedite installation of the Bailey bridge to restore connectivity and prevent further hardship. They have also appealed to the Lieutenant Governor’s administration to assess the condition of the damaged bridge and initiate restoration work at the earliest.