Wonky Bridge - Don't Cross

It’s an Indo-Pak measure to build confidence. But cross-LoC trade has been snowed under much distrust.

- Naseer Ganai

On March 8, cross-LoC duty-free barter trade was stopped after the army told civilian authorities that the Kaman Setu bridge linking Salamabad area of Uri with Chokoti region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir needed “immediate repairs to prevent further deterioration”. According to a note sent to the Baramulla deputy commissioner, army engineers felt the need after carrying out an inspection of the bridge earlier that day. “The repairs would require minimum 15 days. In view of this, the trade services (should) be suspended accordingly,” the note reads. Cross-LoC traders say 35 trucks had been loaded and 1,400 were in transit when the trade was stopped. Trade continued, however, through Chakan-da-bagh on the Poonch-Rawalakote route. While 341 traders use the Chakan-da-bagh route, 241 depend on the Salamabad one.

Renovation work was on when the Union home ministry called a meeting in Delhi on April 12, seeking details about the installation of full-body scanners, whose contract had been awarded to Punj Lloyd last year. The Indian Space Research Organisation has already approved the ionic radiation part of it. According to the state industries department officials, Punj Lloyd would complete its work in August.

Then, on April 18, the ministry issued an order suspending the trade, citing allegations that cross-LoC routes in Jammu and Kashmir are being misused by Pakistan-based elements for “illegal inflow” of weapons, narcotics and money. “We never imagined the trade would be stopped,” says LoC traders union coordinator Javid Ahmad Makroo. “As our goods are in transit, prolonged closure would finish us economically.” The traders have been meeting regularly at Parimpora Mandi in Srinagar since the closure of the trade.