Public safety priority, project design will be aesthetic: DC Sgr
Srinagar, May 13: The administration on Wednesday announced that safety fencing will be installed at Budshah Bridge in Srinagar, acknowledging rising incidents of suicide attempts and public demand for safety measures at the vital city bridge.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo, speaking with reporters here, said Budshah Bridge has emerged as a vulnerable point in recent days, with multiple suicide attempts and safety-related incidents being reported.
Referring to the situation, the DC said police inputs and ground reports confirmed a worrying trend.
“You must have seen in the last few days that there have been incidents at Budshah Bridge where people have attempted to jump into the water. Police reports also confirm that this has become a vulnerable point where suicide attempts are increasing,” he said.
Labroo said that in the last few days alone, at least three such incidents have been reported from the site, raising serious concern among authorities.
“Along with that, when people walk here, due to a lack of safety measures, there is also a risk of accidental falls. So, whether it is police, public representatives or citizens, everyone has suggested that this stretch should be fenced,” he said.
The DC said the administration has now initiated formal steps to address the issue, including site inspections by senior officials. “Today, along with our team, including R&B officials and senior officers, we visited the site to see how soon we can fence Budshah Bridge,” he said.
He added that the project will be designed carefully, keeping in mind both safety requirements and aesthetic value, as the bridge lies in the heart of Srinagar city.
“Now we have to be careful because it is in the middle of the city. We will design it in an aesthetic manner as well as from the point of view of public safety,” he said.
He said preliminary designs have been reviewed, and the administration will move ahead once final approvals are secured. “We have seen the designs today. We will try to start work as soon as possible. After finalising the design, we will send it for funding and approval to the government,” he said.
Labroo said similar safety concerns have been raised for other locations as well. “We have also received a similar request from Noor Jahan Bridge, which was recently inaugurated. We will visit that site as well and try to fence it in an aesthetic way,” he said.
The DC added that the administration has already undertaken fencing work on several waterways in the city. “Earlier, we had fenced Ali Kadal and Zaina Kadal in Srinagar. Similar demands are also coming from other areas,” he said, adding that the initiative is part of a broader safety plan being implemented in phases across Srinagar—(KNO)
