Night-Time Sand Mining Under Zero Bridge Sparks Safety Concerns
Srinagar, Nov 19, KNT: Illegal sand extraction during night hours in the Jhelum near Zero Bridge has triggered serious concern among locals, who allege that the activity has been continuing unchecked for the last several weeks.
According to locals, boats carrying groups of sand diggers appear in the dead of night and anchor themselves close to the bridge before extracting sand from the riverbed. The locals said the activity has become a routine occurrence, often stretching late into the night and disturbing the peace of the adjoining neighbourhoods.
Locals told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that they confronted the sand miners on Tuesday night after noticing increased movement of boats beneath the bridge. They said the diggers fled after an argument but returned later, indicating a pattern of organised illegal extraction.
People living around the area warned that continuous removal of sand directly beneath and around Zero Bridge may compromise the structural stability of the bridge. They said repeated complaints have yielded no action, and accused authorities of remaining in slumber while illegal miners operate freely.
Locals urged the administration to conduct an immediate assessment and deploy night-time monitoring teams to prevent further damage to the riverbed and public infrastructure.[KNT]
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