The refurbished Zero Bridge on river Jhelum, being promoted as a heritage tourism spot, has been thrown open exclusively for pedestrian movement.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti last evening inaugurated the reconstructed bridge having kiosks and food courts on the deck.
"It is all set to be an attraction for locals and tourists. The Zero Bridge will be a complete walkthrough site connecting Rajbagh and Sonwar localities of the city," an official spokesman said.
The bridge, constructed in the 1950s, is one of the oldest in the summer capital of the state. It was dismantled in 2012 and reconstructed at a cost of Rs 11 crore by Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation Limited.
The vehicular movement on the bridge was stopped in 1980 when its wooden planks and piers could no longer support the traffic.
The 154-metre-long bridge has been revamped with deodar and wooden decks on both the sides, the spokesman said.
Impressed with the facets of the refurbished bridge, former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had, during his visit to the site in 2015, announced that it should come up as a heritage tourism spot in the city. On his directions, the refurbished bridge was given a traditional Kashmiri heritage touch.
"The bridge would be used for only pedestrian movement. It is a sort of picnic spot laced with traditional design," the spokesman said.
The centrally-heated food court, which was also inaugurated by the Chief Minister, has a seating space of 2700 sqft and four sightseeing decks.
