Despite being declare unsafe for vehicular movement, the Regipora bridge continued to withstand till a heavy downpour Monday night that saw it crumble down. The 100-metre bridge, built 68 years ago over a rivulet in Hyhama, was the main communication link between Regipora and Kupwara town. Residents here heaved a sigh of relief that the bridge collapsed during night when there was no public movement over it.
“It collapsed suddenly. Luckily there was no one on the bridge when the incident happened. If the bridge was unsafe and the authorities were building a new bridge parallel to it why was traffic being allowed,” said Mudasir Wani, a resident of Darzipora Kupwara.
Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Khalid Jahangir confirmed the bridge was declared unsafe for traffic in 2008. He, however, said the bridge was used only by pedestrians. “Luckily, the bridge collapsed during night when no one was using it,” Jahangir clarified.
