It took two ancient bridges to create so many news ones, almost overnight. Civil society, heritage conservationists and opposition PDP intervened and opposed the J&K government’s plan to demolish two historic bridges — Zero Bridge and Zaina Kadal — in Srinagar on Tuesday.
The intervention comes a day after Hindustan Times reported the matter.
Heritage conservationist Saleem Beg has decided to write to chief minister Omar Abdullah, who on Monday sanctioned Rs 12.15 crore for a new Zero Bridge near Raj Bagh and Rs 8.9 crore for a new bridge to come in place of Zaina Kadal.
“The Zaina Kadal is listed as a monumental site and it will be against the law to demolish it,” said Beg, head of INTACH, Kashmir.
Arshad Mushtaq, a Srinagar-based filmmaker and writer, has started a Save Zero Bridge campaign on Facebook.
The state has decided to demolish the 600-year-old Zaina Kadal and Zero Bridge from the banks of the Jhelum as it is "unsafe for traffic”.
“The government is deliberately tampering with the distinct character of built heritage in the capital city, which is proud to be the repository of the most ancient living civilisation in the region,” said PDP chief spokesperson Naeem Akhtar.
{{/usCountry}}“The government is deliberately tampering with the distinct character of built heritage in the capital city, which is proud to be the repository of the most ancient living civilisation in the region,” said PDP chief spokesperson Naeem Akhtar.
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