Administration explores shifting bridge maintenance from BRO’s Beacon unit to R&B Department; mandi suspends arrivals for two days amid congestion
Suhail Khan
Sopore, Nov 03: After remaining closed for nearly two weeks, the Sopore Bypass Bridge in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is expected to reopen within the next one or two days, with repair work nearing completion, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Sopore Dr S A Raina said on Tuesday.
The reopening is expected to bring relief to commuters and fruit growers who have faced transportation difficulties since the 216-metre bridge was shut on October 22 for repairs. The bridge was initially scheduled to reopen on October 31, but additional repair work and the time required for the repaired surface to settle delayed the process.
During an inspection of the bridge, ADC Raina told The Web Story/The Varmul Post the repair work had addressed the potholes and concerns over vibrations reported earlier. However, some finishing work, including repairs to the adjoining road stretch and installation of warning markings, was still pending.
“The teams have worked day and night. The public has also extended considerable support,” Raina told The Web Story/The Varmul Post.
He said the scope of work had increased after excavation at certain locations revealed the need for additional material and repairs. Technical teams had also advised allowing sufficient time for the repaired surface to cure to ensure its durability.
Beyond the immediate repairs, the administration is looking at a permanent maintenance arrangement for the bridge, which handles substantial traffic from across north Kashmir, particularly during the apple marketing season.
ADC Raina said discussions were underway on transferring its maintenance responsibility from the Border Roads Organisation’s Beacon unit to the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department.
“The entire road is maintained by the R&B Department, but this particular stretch, including the bridge, is under Beacon. We are discussing the matter and hope that an appropriate decision will be taken in the next month or two,” he said.
The bridge’s closure has also affected operations at the Sopore Fruit Mandi, prompting its management to temporarily suspend fresh arrivals to clear the backlog of fruit consignments and facilitate the movement of loaded trucks.
Mandi president Fayaz Ahmad Malik said fresh arrivals would remain suspended for two days following a surge in the number of trucks over the past five to six days, particularly those carrying consignments destined for Chhattisgarh and other markets.
“We have appealed to growers not to bring fresh produce so that the consignments already lying in the market can be cleared. The loaded vehicles should be able to move out without difficulty,” Malik said.
He said growers could resume bringing their produce after 4 pm on Wednesday. The possibility of rainfall and the large quantity of fruit lying in the open had also contributed to the decision.
According to Malik, around 250 to 300 trucks are dispatched from the mandi every day during the peak apple marketing season.
“The entire ground is filled with fruit. We have taken this difficult decision so that growers and traders do not face problems in the coming days,” he said.
Malik expressed hope that the bridge’s reopening would ease the movement of fruit-laden trucks and reduce transportation difficulties. He also urged growers to ensure proper grading of their produce and cooperate with the temporary restrictions.
The 216-metre Sopore Bypass Bridge was inaugurated in 2015 by then chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, nearly 23 years after the project was initiated. It serves as an important link for traffic travelling towards Baramulla and Kupwara and plays a crucial role in transporting apples from Sopore, one of north Kashmir’s major fruit-trading centres, to markets outside Jammu and Kashmir.
