Bridge Collapse Sparks Protest in Naninara, Sumbal

 Bridge Collapse Sparks Protest in Naninara, Sumbal

Aamir Ahmad Malik 

Bandipora (APN) May 6: A major infrastructural failure in Naninara village of Sumbal tehsil triggered widespread concern and unrest among locals after a decades-old wooden footbridge collapsed, severing a crucial connection between communities. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, but the incident has intensified the residents’ long-standing grievances over government apathy and neglected infrastructure in the region.

Soon after the collapse, dozens of villagers gathered near the site and staged a protest, raising slogans against the administration for failing to replace the dilapidated bridge despite repeated pleas. Protesters, including elders and students, said the bridge was a vital link used daily by schoolchildren, elderly patients, and farmers to reach nearby markets, schools, and health centers.

"This bridge was our lifeline. We’ve been requesting its repair or replacement for years, but the authorities kept turning a blind eye. Now it’s gone, and our lives are at risk every day," said a local resident while speaking to reporters.

The protestors blocked the main road temporarily, demanding immediate construction of a new concrete bridge and seeking accountability from the concerned departments. They warned of intensified agitation if the demands were not met promptly.

Locals have appealed to the district administration and the Lieutenant Governor’s office to take urgent action to restore connectivity and ensure such negligence is not repeated elsewhere in the valley.