Udhampur (Jammu and Kashmir): Daily life has been severely disrupted in parts of Udhampur district after a local bridge collapsed, forcing school students and residents to risk their lives by crossing a flowing river using unsafe temporary arrangements. The incident has sparked widespread concern and renewed demands for immediate reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure.
According to local residents, the bridge connecting several villages with schools, markets, and health centres had been in a weakened condition for some time before finally collapsing following heavy rainfall and continuous water flow in the region. Since the collapse, no proper alternative route has been made available, leaving hundreds of villagers stranded.
Students are among the worst affected, as many of them are now forced to cross the river daily to attend school. In the absence of a bridge, they reportedly use improvised and unsafe means such as makeshift bamboo supports or guided assistance from adults while crossing shallow but fast-moving water sections. Parents have expressed deep fear over the situation, saying that sending children to school has become a daily risk.
Residents have alleged that repeated appeals to authorities for repair and reconstruction were ignored despite the bridge being in a deteriorating condition for months. They claim that the structure was essential for connectivity between remote habitations and the main town area of Udhampur, and its collapse has effectively cut off access to basic services.
Local community leaders and village representatives have now intensified their demand for urgent government intervention. They have urged the administration to construct a permanent and safe bridge on priority and provide immediate temporary arrangements until the new structure is completed.
Officials from the local administration have acknowledged the situation and stated that the matter is being assessed. Preliminary reports suggest that technical teams may be sent to evaluate the site and prepare an estimate for reconstruction work.
The incident has once again highlighted infrastructure challenges in remote and hilly regions, where connectivity remains fragile, especially during adverse weather conditions. Residents hope that swift action will be taken to prevent further risk to lives, particularly of school-going children and elderly villagers who rely heavily on this route for daily movement.
