By Mohamad Yousuf
Aloochi Bagh and Old Burzalla are situated in the core of Srinagar city just a few miles away from city centre of Lal Chowk. The flood channel, running from Ram Bagh to Tengpora bridges, demarks the two Mohallas. During Maharaja’s rule both these Mohallas were falling in the Batamaloo pargana. This is why both these Mohallas are still observing the Urs of Saint Sheikh Dawood Khaki (RA), popularly known as Bata-Maloo Sahib.
The two neighboring Mohallas are connected with a long but narrow wooden footbridge running all across the Dood Ganga Nallah and flood channel.
Every day hundreds of people walk over this bridge. But to dismay of local denizens the bridge is badly damaged and makes it a hazardous for children, women folk and old age people to walk on it safely.
The old planks lying on the surface of bridge are either broken or damaged by weathering. Many are put to ablaze by miscreants. There is a gap of nearly 2 to 4 feet between one plank to another at many places. At some places the weak and unsecured planks are put unsupported across big gaps causing threat of life to heavy weight pedestrians. Many loose and unsecured planks make seesaw at some places.
The bridge is nearly twelve feet high from ground level. The recently dredged water way in the middle of flood channel create height phobia to weaker heart people when they look down from the bridge and if balance is lost at such vulnerable places they will certainly fell in deep ditches and water way. The cross high winds could also prove fatal at times. It is also not possible to walk on it in rainy days when the muddy planks become too much slippery. The ditches underneath the bridge are filled with deep waters. It is not possible for ladies and senior citizens to walk on it without the support of youngsters. Slipping down from the bridge through big gaps could sometime kill the pedestrians. There are no railings on the sides of the bridge. The cyclists can never dream of crossing the flood channel over this antique bridge because of its pathetic conditions.
This is perhaps only kind of bridge in the entire city with unique features. Like preserving the heritage buildings in the city the INTACH must also pay attention towards the preservation of such heritage bridges.
Though the area lies within the Srinagar Municipal limits but alas! The SMC hardly bothers to repair such important connectivity. This footbridge is purely meant for two densely populated neighboring Mohallas. The poor pedestrians of the area cannot afford to travel by cars or auto rickshaws via Rambagh or Tengpora bridges. The residents of these two localities have urged the SMC and the Flood Control Department to look into the matter and arrange its immediate repairs. If the local M.L.A is really a native of this constituency it is time for him to wake up and provide funds for its repairs from his Constituency Development Funds and obliges We The Srinagarites.
Published in Daily Greater Kashmir on July 26, 2010
