The Question of a Bridge Across the Jhelum

The question of constructing a bridge or flyover connecting Convent Road to Residency or Maulana Azad Road across the Jhelum is not new. It is a debate that Srinagar has lived with for nearly half a century—reflecting both the city’s complex planning legacy and the recurring uncertainty that often clouds urban decision-making in Kashmir.

The Early Vision: Master Plan 1971–91

The idea first appeared in the Srinagar Master Plan 1971–91, which envisaged two arterial roads running parallel to the Jhelum—one along the northern bank and another on the southern side. The two were to be linked by a bridge-cum-flyover between Residency and M.A. Roads to improve east–west connectivity in the city’s congested core.

While the approach roads were developed over time, the bridge itself never material