Khwajabagh Bridge

Sixteen years ago, the foundation was laid for constructing a 252 meter long bridge over Jhelum at the locality of Khwajabagh in Baramulla. This would connect Baramulla with Kupwara by reducing the distance to the tune of 30 kilometers. The connectivity would be with Janbazpra on the right bank of Jhelum and then onwards through Rafiabad to Kupwara. This all is considered the hinterland of Sopore and Baramulla towns and is very crucial in more than one way. It passes through the rich apple producing tracts and very fertile paddy producing area.
The people of Khwajabagh had become very happy when the bridge was first announced 16 years back. A full generation has passed by and the bridge is nowhere in sight. R&B authorities say that lack of funds has been the main reason for slowdown of the project. This is one more example of callousness of our political leaders to announce a new project with big fanfare but let it pass into oblivion with the passage of time. The bridge is not over a nullah or small stream; it is over the Jhelum River at a place close to the Baramulla railway terminal. From that point of view also this bridge and its site are of much strategic importance. Once the bridge is completed and made functional, the bulk of apple export activity will shift to Baramulla where it can be loaded in railway for onward transportation to different parts of the country.
We would urge the authorities to resume the construction work on this bridge and bring it to completion as early as possible.

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