People who are posting videos crossing the Hussaini Suspension Bridge (2020) located in Gojal near Passu cones – please don’t romanticise the idea of crossing a bridge that’s been denied entrance not just because of COVID-19, but also because it hasn’t been repaired since 4 years.
I was there 2 weeks ago and locals were there requesting and screaming at top of their lungs to not cross the bridge, but for what? To get ridiculed? They are sweet enough to let you take pictures on the bridge for memories or whatever as they have marked a limit by restricting the rest of the bridge except for 8-10 planks. There’s a stick that marks the ending, but I saw people tricking them into taking the picture then cross the bridge – as they stand there helpless. I felt so embarrassed! We go up North and have no regard.
Reasons they don’t want you to cross the bridge before it’s repaired:
1. Their livelihood is across the bridge. There’s this small village where they farm and if there’s no bridge, it’s gone!
2. Government’s going to blame them for not being able to keep tourists off the bridge if people die. (It has happened to them once, so they’re also quite traumatised)
3. How are they going to build it from scratch again?
4. It’s just another activity for you, but they KNOW it’s not safe as of now – and let’s be honest, we should take their word for it.
P.S. As clock hits 5 PM, locals start coming in. Kindly get done with your business before 5 because they do feel that their privacy is being invaded.
Anyways, just be mindful when you travel. They are the sweetest people I have met and it’s sad how they’re disrespected. They can kick you out, but instead they’ll offer you chai.
From a traveler...copied from a FB page
