SRINAGAR: As streets are slowly returning to life in Kashmir, a number of road stretches and bridges, however, continue to be out of bounds for
people affecting public movement.
Government forces had barricaded several roads and crossings, partly or wholly, after August 5, when Government of India revoked special
constitutional status of J&K.
The Jogi Lanker bridge in Rainawari area of Srinagar, continues to remain shut for night, with public movement barred. Daytime restrictions on the
bridge that connects at least 50 localities were lifted just a week back.
“The bridge connects us to outside world. Its closure made us to find alternative routes. During day restrictions, for grocery which we used to
buy in few minutes, had to be purchased from others markets, which are relatively distant,” Abdul Gafar, a local resident of Malapora area told
Kashmir Reader.
“The night restrictions continue to cause us trouble because we have to take longer routes, say for instance hospital. We can’t defy restrictions
because the deployment remains there on the streets,” he added.
A police official from Rainawari police station said that the restrictions on the bridge were imposed because of protests emanating from areas that
lie on the other side. “No protest cropped up ever since the restrictions were imposed and it helped people to resume their normal life,” the
official said.
He said the protests in the area were even affecting the movement around the Rainawari (JLNM) hospital, affecting patient care.
“The situation has improved a lot, and soon we will be removing night restrictions too,” he added.
The old Habba Kadal in the heart of the city has also been closed for public since August 5. Government forces have closed it from both the sides,
Rafiq Ahmad, a local resident said. Though its closure has not impacted public movement, because of a new bridge nearby, but business
establishments on its two sides have been impacted.
Ali Muhammad, owner of a textile shop near the bridge, said that his customer base has been reduced to half because of the closed bridge. There
are at least half a dozen others which have been similarly impacted, he added.
Even when the restrictions in the form of barricades and razor wires do not block the movement of people totally, they often lead to traffic
congestions because of reduced road spans.
Such instances can be seen at Sekidafar, Kaka Sari, Baba Dawwod Khakhi bridge, Aali Masjid, where forces have kept one tube of the road out of
bounds for people.
A stretch of nearly two hundred meters has been barricaded by forces from Islamia College to Gojwara in downtown. Traffic has to go through another
stretch which is meant for one way only.
The closure of the stretch has drastically impacted shops and businesses located inside.
At Baba Dawoodi Khaki bridge the road has been clocked in a criss cross fashion, making a vehicle to negotiate the curves at least three times.
At Kaka Sarai crossing near SMHS Hospital, the road leading towards Zampakadal and Chattabal has been blocked with a razor wire. A stretch of the
main road is also partially blocked, leading to massive traffic congestion in peak times.

Junaid Nabi Bazaz