Srinagar- The Qamarwari Bridge, famously known as the Noor Jahan Bridge, has become a subject of widespread online satire due to its slow construction progress. Netizens have taken to social media, creating memes and posting satirical comments to troll the authorities over the delay of the bridge’s construction.
A Facebook page, Mukhtar The Speaker, posted a video referring to the bridge as the “8th wonder of the world,” humorously suggesting that its ‘grandiosity’ is the reason for the prolonged construction period. The video has garnered more than two lakh views and sparked a wave of satirical comments.
Another social media page on Facebook, Speaking Mirza, shared a meme with the caption, “I saw two people working on the bridge, I think it will take another 250-300 years for the administration to complete the bridge.” The post invited numerous comments from frustrated commuters and residents. Umar Sheikh, a social media user sarcastically commented, “These two people have been there for decades; their dedication must be appreciated.” His comment highlighted the public’s frustration with the lack of visible progress.
Ashiq Bhat, another social media user, pointed out the disparity in construction speed between the Noor Jahan Bridge and other infrastructure projects in the area. “The work on the nearby flyover in Bemina and Sanat Nagar is about to get completed in a span of two years, whereas this bridge hasn’t seen much progress.”
The Noor Jahan Bridge project, intended to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity in the Qamarwari area, has faced multiple delays since its inception. The slow pace of construction has led to mounting public frustration, with many calling for increased accountability and transparency from the authorities.
Earlier, speaking to Kashmir Observer, Chief Engineer R&B, Sajad Naqib had said the construction of the bridge was ongoing and traffic would ply on the bridge soon.
For city dwellers and visitors to Srinagar, the ride on the ‘Cement Bridge’—the currently used bridge adjacent to the Noor Jahan Bridge—is tiring and bumpy. Commuters report that the pivotal bridge has developed potholes, which not only affect vehicular movement but also cause damage to vehicles.”
Ashiq Shagoo, took satire to another level by referencing the Cement Bridge is the first concrete bridge in city Kashmir’s and the Noor Jahan bridge is the last bridge in Kashmir is being constructed in its vicinity.”
Pertinently, the Noor Jehan Bridge is spread over 127 meters and connects Noorbagh with the Qamarwari side over river Jhelum. Once completed, the bridge will lessen traffic on the already existing ‘Cement Bridge’ which over the period of time has served as an important link between Shahr-e- Khaas and other areas of North Kashmir.
The construction of the Noor Jahan Bridge started in 2011. Initially, the bridge was scheduled to be completed in the year 2014.
Later, the deadline was extended to March 2017 and then upto December 2018. In March 2022, a senior official told Kashmir Observer that it would be completed by the end of 2022; however, it missed that deadline as well.
After missing several deadlines, authorities in 2022 said the work on the much-awaited Noorbagh-Qamarwari Bridge was going to get completed by March 2023.However that promise has not been fulfilled.
Kashmir Observer has done a series of stories over a period of more than 13 years highlighting the negligent attitude of officials towards the completion of the bridge.
Throughout the passage of time since its inception, many senior officials from the R&B department, entrusted with the oversight of its construction, have retired, leaving behind a legacy of unfulfilled potential in the form of the Noor Jahan Bridge.
As the online trolling continues to gain momentum, it remains to be seen how the administration will respond to the growing public outcry and whether the pace of construction on the Noor Jahan Bridge will finally accelerate.
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