Sopore, Oct 22: The Sopore bypass bridge, a key route connecting north Kashmir with Srinagar and facilitating the transportation of apples to markets outside the Valley, has been closed for repairs until October 31, with authorities announcing traffic diversions and restrictions on the daytime movement of fruit-laden trucks.
The closure came into effect at 8 pm on Thursday, affecting commuters, transporters and fruit traders during the peak apple season.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Sopore S.A. Raina said the bridge had been closed to carry out urgent repairs, adding that a detailed traffic management plan had been put in place to minimise inconvenience to the public.
“Traffic coming from Srinagar will be diverted via Amargarh, Chankhan Bridge, Court Road and Fruit Mandi Crossing towards Kupwara. Vehicles travelling from Kupwara to Srinagar will be routed through Noorbagh, Main Market, Shalpora and Degree College towards Chankhan Bridge,” he said.
As part of the arrangements, fruit mandi stakeholders have been directed to ensure that fruit-laden trucks do not ply during the daytime. Such vehicles will be permitted to move in the evening according to the prescribed diversion plan to ease congestion on alternative routes.
The administration has also ordered the relocation of street vendors operating along the diversion routes and directed officials to keep footpaths clear for pedestrians.
Personnel from the Traffic Police, civil police and Municipal Council will be deployed along the affected stretches to regulate vehicular movement and prevent traffic bottlenecks.
Raina appealed to the public to cooperate with the traffic arrangements, saying the measures were necessary to facilitate repairs and restore normal movement.
The closure comes amid recurring concerns over disruptions on the bridge, which serves as a crucial link between Kupwara and Srinagar and provides access to Sopore’s fruit mandi, regarded as Asia’s second-largest fruit market.
The route witnesses heavy traffic during the apple season, when thousands of trucks transport fruit from Kashmir to markets across the country.
A two-day traffic diversion was also implemented in May as part of repair-related arrangements, renewing concerns over the bridge’s condition and the need for a long-term infrastructure solution.
