*LG to inaugurate shortly
Nawshaba Iqbal
Srinagar, Jan 19: After nearly two years of work, the refurbished Amira Kadal pedestrian bridge is ready for public use, with authorities completing final touches.
Executed under the Srinagar Smart City Project at a cost of Rs 7.17 crore, the initiative has transformed the historic structure into a pedestrian-only bridge while retaining its original foundations.
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Officials said the renovation was aimed at preserving the bridge’s heritage value while adapting it for contemporary urban use.
The bridge is expected to be inaugurated shortly by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, said the makeover was undertaken as part of the Smart City works and completed to retain the bridge’s historical character while improving pedestrian access.
He said the bridge is expected to benefit shopkeepers, traders and industrial units in and around Lal Chowk, Srinagar’s main commercial hub, while also adding to the city’s tourist appeal.
“The bridge is likely to witness footfall similar to other pedestrian bridges such as Zero Bridge and Habba Kadal,” Garg said.
He added that the Jhelum Riverfront project has now been extended up to Amira Kadal, which, he said, allows cyclists, joggers and morning walkers access along both banks of the river for nearly 4.3 kilometres.
Restored on its old piers and redesigned as a wooden pedestrian bridge, Amira Kadal—regarded as Srinagar’s first bridge—was originally built in the 1770s during Afghan rule by Governor Amir Khan Sher Jawan.
Officials said the bridge has been developed without vending zones to ensure pedestrian safety and smooth movement, adding that improved connectivity between commercial areas and the riverfront is expected to boost economic activity in the area.
Abdul Qayoom Kirmani, an official of Srinagar Smart City Limited, said the project posed several challenges due to the bridge’s location over the Jhelum.
“The bridge was completed over about two years, with a strong focus on restoring Kashmir’s recognised heritage, which is closely linked to tourism,” Kirmani said.
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