Lieutenant Governor Lauds ₹7.70 Crore Project as a Mission to “Protect the Soul of Every City,” Seamlessly Weaving Modernity with Kashmir’s Cultural Heartbeat
- Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha inaugurated the redeveloped Amira Kadal bridge in Srinagar, a historically significant pedestrian wooden bridge project completed at a cost of ₹7.70 crore under Srinagar Smart City Limited, aiming to preserve legacy and improve urban mobility.
- LG Sinha emphasized a prime objective to “lift the quality of life to a new level with modern technology and inclusive design,” making it a mission to “protect the soul of every city” by preserving historic lanes, bridges, traditional markets, and green spaces.
- The Lieutenant Governor highlighted ongoing transformative projects across J&K, from the Jhelum Riverfront and Lal Chowk redevelopment to Tawi Riverfront, affirming that a true smart city sparks a vibrant, efficient, and inclusive quality of living, honouring roots while building a resilient future.
Mohit Mehra
Srinagar, January 20, 2026: In a significant stride towards blending heritage with modern urban development, Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha today inaugurated the redeveloped Amira Kadal bridge in Srinagar. This historically significant pedestrian wooden bridge project, completed at a cost of ₹7.70 crore under Srinagar Smart City Limited, aims to not only preserve a vital legacy but also to dramatically improve urban mobility and the overall quality of life for the citizens of Srinagar.
Dedicating the revitalized bridge to the people, the Lieutenant Governor underscored the administration’s core philosophy. “Our prime objective is to lift the quality of life to a new level with modern technology and inclusive design,” LG Sinha stated. He emphasized a broader mission: “We have made it a mission to protect the soul of every city while upgrading or renovating the infrastructure. By preserving historic lanes, bridges, traditional markets, lively squares and peaceful green spaces, we have made efforts to weave amenities into the cultural heartbeat of each city.” This approach, he noted, ensures that the renovation and upgradation of a city’s infrastructure become “a bridge, beautifully linking heritage with the needs of today.”
The impact of this approach is already vividly visible across several cities of Jammu and Kashmir. LG Sinha cited numerous transformative projects that are now pulsing with fresh appeal, including the Jhelum Riverfront, Lal Chowk, MA road redevelopment, Redevelopment of Polo view High Street, Traditional Souq Market and craft center Batmaloo, Development of lake front (including walkways on Northern Foreshore road from Nishat to Naseem Bagh Habak), Improvement of Ghats along Jhelum, Improvement of Facade of Heritage Markets of Shehr-e-Khaas, Srinagar. Similar significant projects in Jammu include the Improvement of road from Dogra Chowk to KC chowk, Apsara road High Street, Street development Canal road Talab Tillo, Street development of heritage site Mubarak Mandi to Raghunath Bazaar, approach to Bahu Fort Temple, Ranbir canal Blue-Green Walkway projects, and the Tawi Riverfront. These initiatives are not merely drawing tourists enchanted by their timeless charm but are also providing a substantial boost to businesses, ensuring the local economy gains real strength and momentum.
LG Sinha reiterated that by breathing new life into cities through the preservation of cultural heritage, the administration is honouring its roots. He clarified that this commitment transcends mere infrastructure upgradation; it is fundamentally “about building a brighter, more resilient tomorrow for young generation.” He asserted, “A true smart city is never just about new infrastructure. It is about sparking an entirely new way of quality living, which is vibrant, efficient and inclusive.”
Interacting with local shopkeepers and traders, the Lieutenant Governor expressed confidence that the opening of the redeveloped pedestrian bridge will significantly improve accessibility, boost commercial activity in the area, and provide a more pleasant experience for both local residents and tourists alike.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Shri Ahsan Pardesi, Member of Legislative Assembly from Lal Chowk; Shri Anshul Garg, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Shri VK Birdi, IGP Kashmir; Shri Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, and Shri Faz Lul Haseeb, CEO, Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL). Senior officials, members of trade associations, and prominent citizens also gathered to witness the unveiling of this revitalized landmark, marking a new chapter in Srinagar’s urban development journey.
