Sopore, Oct 22: The Sopore bypass bridge, a key link connecting north Kashmir with Srinagar and facilitating the movement of fruit-laden trucks, has been closed for repair work until October 31, prompting traffic diversions and restrictions on daytime movement of fruit vehicles.
The closure came into effect at 8 pm on Thursday, affecting commuters, transporters and fruit traders, particularly during the peak apple transportation season.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Sopore S.A. Raina said the bridge had been closed to facilitate urgent repairs and that a detailed traffic management plan had been put in place to minimise disruption.
“Traffic coming from Srinagar will be diverted via Amargarh, Chankhan Bridge, Court Road and Fruit Mandi Crossing towards Kupwara. Vehicles travelling from Kupwara to Srinagar will be routed through Noorbagh, Main Market, Shalpora and Degree College towards Chankhan Bridge,” he said.
The administration has directed fruit mandi stakeholders to ensure that fruit-laden trucks do not ply during the day. Such vehicles will be allowed to move in the evening as per the diversion plan to ease congestion on alternative routes.
Street vendors operating along diversion routes will also be relocated, while authorities have been directed to keep footpaths clear for pedestrians.
Personnel from the Traffic Police, civil police and Municipal Council will be deployed across affected stretches to regulate traffic and prevent bottlenecks.
Mr Raina appealed to the public to cooperate with the arrangements, saying the measures were necessary to complete the repairs and restore normal traffic movement.
The closure has revived concerns over recurring disruptions on the bridge, a crucial route linking Kupwara and Srinagar and providing access to Sopore’s fruit mandi, regarded as Asia’s second-largest fruit market.
The bridge assumes added significance during the apple season, when thousands of fruit-laden trucks use the route to transport produce from Kashmir to markets across the country.
A two-day traffic diversion was also implemented in May as part of repair-related arrangements, highlighting concerns over the bridge’s condition and the need for long-term infrastructure solutions—(KNO)
