POONCH (Kashmir English): In Poonch, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, a damaged bridge on the Tata Pani-Hajira Road has become a serious safety concern for locals. Despite repeated warnings and visible dangers, no repair work has been started yet. The bridge, known as the Sawa Bridge, remains in poor condition while heavy vehicles continue to pass over it, risking a possible collapse.
The situation gained attention after Kashmir Digital reported on the neglected state of the bridge and the lack of government action. Following the report, the Department of Highways and the district administration in Poonch placed a warning sign at the site, but no technical staff or security measures have been put in place.
Locals say the signboard is not enough and claim it is just a formality. They fear a major accident could happen anytime, especially since heavy trucks and loaders still use the bridge daily. They pointed to a recent accident in Kotli, where a dumper truck caused an old bridge to collapse completely.
Residents of Poonch also highlighted that despite many accidents on the Sawa Bridge, it was not included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the fiscal year 2022–23. No funds were allocated for its repair or reconstruction.
The public reaction has been strong. Citizens have announced a protest campaign, demanding immediate action. They have warned that if construction work does not begin soon, they will block all traffic on the Tata Pani-Hajira Road and hold a sit-in protest.
Authorities in Poonch have been urged to respond quickly before a tragedy occurs. Locals are calling for proper inspection, technical intervention, and a clear timeline for rebuilding the bridge.
This issue has once again raised concerns about infrastructure neglect in Poonch, where poor roads and lack of development funding continue to affect public safety and daily life.
