Locals term it ‘life changing’
Uri, Dec 08: Nearly two decades after being damaged, the historic Nand Singh (NS) Bridge in Uri has been restored and reopened, rekindling hopes for dozens of border villages along the Line of Control (LoC).
Vital bridge, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) over the Hajipeer Nallah on the Srinagar–Muzaffarabad road, was virtually inaugurated on Sunday by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The reopening of the bridge has restored crucial connectivity between several remote villages and the Uri tehsil headquarters.
Local residents described the development as “life-changing”, saying the bridge serves as their only reliable access route to essential services, including healthcare, education and markets.
Originally constructed decades ago, the NS Bridge suffered heavy damage during the earthquake of 2005, cutting off multiple habitations near the LoC and forcing residents to rely on longer and less secure routes.
The new structure, redesigned and rebuilt by the BRO, is now equipped to sustain heavy vehicular movement and also strengthen logistical access for defence forces operating in the region.
Officials said the bridge not only reconnects isolated communities but also enhances strategic mobility in a sector of immense military importance. The Defence Ministry called it a significant milestone in India’s ongoing efforts to fortify border infrastructure.
During the virtual inauguration, held as part of a series of BRO projects from Leh, the Defence Minister commended the organisation’s dedication to “connecting the unconnected”. He said the government’s sustained focus on upgrading BRO’s capabilities has yielded record achievements. (KNO)
