Sopore bypass bridge reopens after 14-day closure

Sopore, Nov 4: A key bypass bridge in north Kashmir’s Sopore town reopened to traffic on Wednesday after a 14-day closure for repairs, officials said, ending hardships for commuters and fruit growers during the peak apple season.
The 216-metre Sopore Bypass Bridge, which links Sopore town with Baramulla, Kupwara, Rafiabad, Zaingair and Bandipora, was shut on October 22 for pothole restoration and other maintenance work. It was initially slated to reopen on October 31, but repairs ran past the deadline.
An official said the bridge was reopened after completion of the repair work, with Sopore Police, Traffic Police and Municipal Council Sopore coordinating under the supervision of ADC Dr Shabir Ahmad Raina to ensure smooth vehicular movement.
The closure had caused widespread inconvenience, especially during the ongoing apple marketing season when thousands of fruit-laden trucks pass through the route. The bridge is also a vital artery for the Sopore Fruit Mandi, one of north Kashmir’s largest horticulture trading hubs.
Built over nearly 23 years, the bridge was inaugurated by then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in August 2015 to decongest Sopore town and improve connectivity with adjoining areas.
Its reopening is expected to ease the movement of vehicles and bring relief to people who depend on the route for daily commuting and the transportation of horticultural produce officials said.
Authorities have also urged commuters to follow traffic regulations and cooperate with the departments concerned. (KNS)