by Saif ullah Bashir
Srinagar
Historic Habba Kadal Bridge continues to be blocked by the concertina wires since August 5. Residents of Habba kadal area on Tuesday gathered at Habba Kadal Chowk staged a protest against the blockade of Bridge by the CRPF.
After the abrogation of article 370, Habba Kadal area of downtown witnessed frequent clashes and the bridge is closed since then. No pedestrian or traffic movement is possible as layers of concertina wires block the bridge. This bridge connects old city areas of Chinkaral Mohalla, Fateh-Kadal and Babademb areas.
Due to the closure of this bridge, the shopkeepers are living on a hard day. They hardly get a chance to saw customers.
There are almost 300 shops established from both sides of the bridge. The bridge is a meeting point of different routes that decongest the downtown traffic. But now the pedestrian, as well as vehicles, has to take an alternate route that results in the frequent jam on that side. This bridge has now turned into a parking slot.
Mohammad Amir who is a local resident said that “Not only the local shopkeepers are affected but the kids going to schools are now the worst affected by this closure.”
Another resident who wished to be anonymous appealed the authorities to restore the movement on the bridge as soon as possible so that the charm and glory of the heritage bridge gets a new life.
Earlier, a delegation from the same area has met Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, who as per them, assured them the concertina wires will be removed, but till now nothing happened. There is also a branch of Jammu and Kashmir bank and as the bridge is blocked it is difficult for the customers to reach there.
