NEELUM VALLEY (Kashmir English): Several bridges in Neelum Valley, on the main Neelum Road in Azad Kashmir, have become dangerously weak and worn out, raising fears of a major accident at any time.
The bridges built over streams in areas like Lawat, Kandri, and Khawaja Seri are in poor condition, causing concern among both local residents and tourists.
Tourists visiting the scenic valley told Kashmir Digital that although the area is peaceful and beautiful, the state of roads and bridges in Neelum Valley is worrying. They said they enjoy coming to Kashmir but feel unsafe due to the poor infrastructure.
They urged the government to take immediate and serious action to repair the roads and bridges in Neelum Valley and the rest of AJK so that locals and visitors can travel safely and comfortably.
Residents of the valley have also raised their voices on the issue, warning that the decaying bridges could collapse and cause a tragedy. Thousands of people cross these bridges daily, but many do so with fear, unsure of when a disaster might happen.
Locals have appealed to public representatives, saying this is not just about adding projects to a development list, it is about protecting human lives.
They warned that if the authorities fail to repair or rebuild the bridges in Neelum Valley in time, there could be a serious loss of life.
Both tourists and the public have called on the Azad Kashmir government and the Neelum district administration to urgently begin repair work on the roads and bridges in Neelum Valley.
They believe doing so will not only make the area safer but also help promote tourism.
These old and run-down bridges in Neelum Valley have caused tragedies in the past as well, which gives locals more of a reason to worry about the unsafe infrastructure.
On Sunday, May 13th 2018, a steel bridge called the Kundal Shahi in Neelum Valley collapsed due to excessive weight on it when a group of tourists got on it to take pictures.
The bridge was built over the Jagran Nullah (Nala Jagran) stream of the Neelum River.
The number of victims is reported to be 25 and in some reports 34 to 40. Most of the sufferers were tourists and university students from Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan and Sahiwal.
The official rescue operation was launched immediately. The bridge, which had been constructed eight years earlier to connect the valley, was made of wood and was in a weak, feeble condition.
It could only uphold the weight of four people at a time. Despite the warnings, the tourists had ignored the danger.
