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Wednesday, Apr 06, 2005

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National

Peace Bridge awaits first bus

By Shujaat Bukhari

FOR PEACE: Army personnel decorating the Aman Setu (Peace Bridge) the last point on the LoC, Kaman Post in Uri. — Photo: Shujaat Bukhari

KAMAN POST (LOC), APRIL 5. The 118-km-long road from Srinagar to this last point on the Line of Control (LoC) is dotted with security forces. Houses on the highway from Baramulla onwards sport a new coat of green paint. And all's set for the historic bus service to roll on April 7.

The Kaman Bridge, a neglected structure dividing the two parts of Kashmir, is emerging as the symbol of peace on both sides. Blown up in the 1947 tribal raid, the bridge named by the Indian side as `Aman Setu (Peace Bridge)' is painted white. Though it had been painted in tricolour, in the wake of the reported objection from the other side, it was decided to go in for white. The bridge as also the heavily-mined road from Red Bridge (Lalpul) at Udoosa were repaired in record time. "We started working here from February 23 and everything had to be done afresh," says Ram Prakash, a soldier from Army Engineers Corps.

From a blacktopped road to the newly-constructed offices of customs and immigration, and the lush green mountains, everything is bursting with life here.

On the other side of the LoC is Chakothi where workers in traditional kameez-salwar are busy finishing work. Soldiers on either side of the bridge wave towards each other very frequently, said Zareef Hussain, a labourer from Baramulla.

"We do interact," said Col. G.S. Rawat, Commanding Officer of the area. "We have a hotline between us now that we use to fix meetings and clear ambiguity of decisions." The two sides are meeting at the Brigadier or Colonel level tomorrow to give final touches to the arrangements.

Today the State Finance Minister, Muzaffar Hussain Baig, the Consumer Affairs Minister, Taj Mohiuddin, and other senior officials visited the Kaman post. From tomorrow no one will be allowed to enter the area, a senior army officer told The Hindu . Frequent checks and queries are routine on the route and Army is the final authority for giving permission.

Another important destination en route the Kaman Post is Slamabad village, which has been chosen for the first ever Tourist Reception Centre in north Kashmir. It is going to be the hub of activity on April 7, when passengers from both sides will be provided with lunch by the State Government. Telephone lines are being installed on emergency basis along with medical services and other facilities.

The Principal Secretary, Tourism, Anil Goswami, who visited the area today told The Hindu that it will be like the sub-station of the Tourist Centre in Srinagar. The department has put in place a beautifully designed pre-fabricated structure with all basic amenities.

Festive look

In Uri town, it is like a festival coming up. All shops and rooftops are painted green and a huge hoarding carrying slogans of peace dominates the area. "We are very happy to see this day," said Syed Jameel, a shopkeeper, who wanted the passengers to be allowed to stop in the town. "But well begun is half done and we hope the service will become a permanent feature," he said with optimism.

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