Zero Bridge is Srinagar's wooden pedestrian bridge between Sonwar and Rajbagh: why it is called Zero, its history and 2016 refurbishment, the best time to visit, and how to combine it with a Jhelum riverfront walk.
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Quick Answer: Zero Bridge Srinagar is a wooden arch footbridge over the Jhelum, linking Sonwar and Rajbagh. Built in the 1950s and closed to vehicles in the late 1980s, it was refurbished in 2016 as a pedestrian bridge with kiosks and a food court. It is called Zero because it stands upstream of Amira Kadal, traditionally the city's first bridge.
Last updated: 3 November 2026. By Kashmir Pulse Editorial. Kashmir Pulse is Via Kashmir's editorial channel, written by locals.
On a clear evening, Zero Bridge is where Srinagar slows down. Students lean on the railing, families walk to the riverfront and the Jhelum turns gold under the Zabarwan hills. Zero Bridge Srinagar is not a grand monument; it is a long wooden footbridge with a name that makes every visitor ask the same question. This guide answers it, and explains how to enjoy the bridge as locals do.
Zero Bridge Srinagar at a glance
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where | Over the Jhelum, linking Sonwar and Rajbagh in central Srinagar |
| Type | Wooden arch pedestrian bridge, about 154 metres long |
| Built | 1950s; closed to vehicles in the late 1980s |
| Refurbished | 2016, as a pedestrian bridge with kiosks and a food court |
| Best time | Late afternoon to sunset |
| Entry | Free |
Why is it called Zero Bridge?
Srinagar's historic bridges over the Jhelum are counted from upstream, and Amira Kadal is traditionally the first. When a new bridge was built upstream of it in the 1950s, it became the bridge before the first: Zero Bridge. A local story ties the name to a contractor's nickname, but the counting explanation is the one most Srinagar families give. See our guide to the old bridges (kadals) of Srinagar for the full list.
What is the history of Zero Bridge?
The original timber bridge was built in the 1950s and carried traffic for about three decades before it was closed to vehicles in the late 1980s. It slowly decayed until it was rebuilt and refurbished, then inaugurated in 2016 as a pedestrian-only bridge, about 154 metres long, with deodar decking, kiosks and a heritage food court on the riverbank. In 2023 it was included in the Jhelum riverfront development, with walkways extended towards the GPO area.
Like many public spaces, it has had maintenance problems: a 2024 local report described broken windows, damaged floorboards and burnt cabins. Condition can vary, so treat it as a lovely walk rather than a polished attraction.
What can you do at Zero Bridge?
- ✓Walk across at sunset for views up and down the Jhelum, with houseboats moored on the river.
- ✓Take a riverfront walk along the Jhelum bund towards Amira Kadal and Lal Chowk.
- ✓Stop for tea at the kiosks or the riverbank food court when they are open.
- ✓Photograph the bridge from the riverbank, where its timber arches show best, ideally with the hills behind at golden hour.
- ✓Watch river life: boatmen, anglers and houseboats moored along the bund.
A line locals like: Zero Bridge carries no traffic, only time.
Related reading: Sanasar: The Cup-Shaped Meadow and Lake Near Patnitop
Zero Bridge vs Dal Lake Boulevard: which evening walk?
| Zero Bridge and the Jhelum | Dal Lake Boulevard | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Local, quiet, river city | Busy, touristic, lake views |
| Views | River, old houses, Zabarwan hills | Dal Lake, houseboats, shikaras |
| Crowds | Light | Heavy in season |
| Best for | A calm hour, photography | Shikara rides, shopping stalls |
If you have done the Boulevard, Zero Bridge shows you a different Srinagar in under an hour.
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How do you get to Zero Bridge?
- Take a cab or auto to Rajbagh or Sonwar; the bridge is between them, in central Srinagar.
- From Lal Chowk, walk along the Jhelum bund upstream past Amira Kadal.
- Go late afternoon, walk across, and stay for sunset.
Local tip: in winter the light goes by about 5 pm. Come at 3.30 for the warm, low sun on the timber.
Is Zero Bridge worth visiting?
Yes, if you enjoy ordinary city life more than big sights. Zero Bridge will not take more than an hour, and some kiosks may be shut or the woodwork worn when you visit. What it offers is a calm view of the Jhelum, a sense of how Srinagar lived along its river before the lake became the centre of tourism, and a walk that costs nothing. Pair it with Lal Chowk and the riverfront for an easy afternoon.
Staying in Srinagar? We plan evenings that are not just the Boulevard.
Plan my Srinagar days →Via Kashmir suggests verified hotels and houseboats on Dal and Nigeen near the Jhelum and Dal, and plans Kashmir packages with local cabs. Tell us your dates and we will add the river walks locals love.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Zero Bridge called Zero?
It stands upstream of Amira Kadal, traditionally Srinagar's first bridge over the Jhelum, so it became the bridge before the first.
Can cars use Zero Bridge?
No. It was closed to vehicles in the late 1980s and has been a pedestrian bridge since its 2016 refurbishment.
Is there an entry fee for Zero Bridge?
No. It is a public footbridge and free to walk across.
What is the best time to visit Zero Bridge?
Late afternoon to sunset, when the light is warm on the river and the hills.
Where is Zero Bridge in Srinagar?
It crosses the Jhelum between Sonwar and Rajbagh, a short walk upstream from Amira Kadal and Lal Chowk.
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