Pulwama, Feb 16: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders from south Kashmir’s Pulwama district staged a peaceful protest on Sunday, urging the government to open the vital Rohmoo bridge over the Romeshi rivulet to public transport without further delay.
Prominent BJP leaders from Pulwama, including Mohammad Lateef Bhat, Arshad Bhat, Aftab Yatoo and Junaid Nabi, along with several party workers, participated in the protest. They called on the government to expedite the opening of the bridge, which will benefit a large portion of the local population.
The Rohmoo bridge holds significant importance as it connects several villages in Pulwama with key historical sites in Budgam district, such as Pakherpora and Chari Sharief, which attract numerous devotees from across Kashmir.
The bridge was severely damaged during the devastating floods of September 2014 and has been under reconstruction since 2016. However, the restoration process faced several setbacks, including delays after the initial construction phase by the Jammu & Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC).
Locals said the project only resumed under the leadership of Dr Basharat Qayoom, the Deputy Commissioner of Pulwama, and the shift of responsibility from JKPCC to the Roads and Buildings (R&B) department of Pulwama.
Speaking to the media at the bridge site, Arshad Bhat acknowledged the efforts of the local administration, particularly DC Pulwama Dr. Basharat Qayoom, for expediting the project since 2022. He confirmed that the bridge was completed in 2025 but had been closed to traffic for the past week due to pending formalities for its inauguration.
“We understand the need for the inauguration, but the public should not have to suffer in the meantime,” said Bhat. He said the closure of the bridge forces commuters to take an alternative and unpaved road, causing significant inconvenience.
District President BJP Pulwama, Mohammad Lateef Bhat also voiced his concerns, highlighting the party’s continuous efforts to bring attention to the project. “We have worked hard to ensure this bridge was completed by engaging with the LG administration. It is ready for traffic, but its closure is causing undue hardship for the local community,” he said.
The BJP district president vowed to continue advocating for the people, saying that they would take to the streets again if the public continues to face difficulties.
“The bridge should be opened to the public as soon as possible, regardless of whether it is inaugurated by the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister, or the local MLA,” he said.
Executive Engineer, R&B Pulwama, Javid Ahmad Dar said that one span of the bridge is yet to be macadamised, which according to him will take a month. “The bridge can be opened for traffic on a trial-run basis,” he said, adding that the final decision rests with the administration,” adding, “Our responsibility was the construction of the bridge; the decision to open it lies with the administration.”
