Pul Doda
{{short description|Small township in Jammu and Kashmir}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Pul Doda
| type = Township
| image_skyline = Pul Doda submerged.jpg
| image_alt = Pul Doda
| image_caption = Pul Doda on the bank of river Chenab
| pushpin_map = India Jammu and Kashmir
| pushpin_label_position = center
| pushpin_map_alt = Pul Doda
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India
| coordinates = {{coord|33.1366528|75.5515409|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type2 = Union territory
| subdivision_name2 = Jammu and Kashmir
| subdivision_type3 = Division
| subdivision_name3 = Jammu region
| subdivision_type4 = Region
| subdivision_name4 = Chenab valley
| subdivision_type5 = District
| subdivision_name5 = Doda
| established_title =
| established_date =
| founder =
| demographics_type1 = Language
| demographics_name1 =
| demographics_title =
| demographics1_title1 = Spoken
| demographics1_info1 = Kashmiri, Bhaderwahi, Sarazi
| demographics1_title2 = Official
| demographics1_info2 = Urdu
| area_total_km2 =
| population_demonym = Bhaderwahi and Kashmiri
| population_total =
| population_as_of =
| population_density_km2 =
| timezone1 = IST
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type =
| postal_code = 182204
| registration_plate =
| website =
| population_footnotes =
| official_name =
}}
Pul Doda is a small township located in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.{{cite news |last1=Ayoob |first1=Anzer |title=Video: Pul Doda, once a bustling town, now almost disappeared |url=https://thechenabtimes.com/2023/01/29/video-pul-doda-once-a-bustling-town-now-almost-disappeared/ |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=The Chenab Times |date=29 January 2023}} It was once a bustling town until 2008, when it was submerged in the river Chenab due to the rise in water levels caused by the Baglihar Dam.{{cite news |last1=Ayoob |first1=Anzer |last2=Hussain |first2=Mubashir |title=Multiple hydropower projects on the Chenab river ring alarm bells |url=https://india.mongabay.com/2022/07/multiple-hydropower-projects-on-the-chenab-river-ring-alarm-bells/ |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=Mongabay-India |date=7 July 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Werleman |first1=CJ |title=The human cost of India's Baglihar dam in disputed Kashmir |url=https://www.trtworld.com/opinion/the-human-cost-of-india-s-baglihar-dam-in-disputed-kashmir-38796 |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=TRT World |date=11 August 2020 |language=en}}
Etymology
History
The first bridge constructed here was the only way to cross the Chenab river and reach Doda city. In 1957, a suspension motorable bridge was built in Pul Doda after a lorry bridge was damaged. This bridge remained the only one connecting the NH1B (now NH244) with the city of Doda. Over the years, several more bridges were built in Pul Doda, including a concrete bridge in 1997 and the Ganpat Bridge in 2008, which is considered the highest road bridge in India.{{cite news |last1=Thakur |first1=Ranjit |title=Year on, Doda’s Ganpat Bridge awaits official inauguration |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/j-k/year-on-doda-s-ganpat-bridge-awaits-official-inauguration-568430 |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=Tribune |date=4 April 2018 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Bizarre story of Ganpat Bridge |url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/bizarre-story-of-ganpat-bridge/ |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=Daily Excelsior |date=20 June 2013 |language=en}} Despite the construction of several bridges, only a few remain today. The bridges in Pul Doda hold historical significance, as they were built during the time when Jammu and Kashmir was a princely state. They continue to serve as important infrastructure for the local community, providing a crucial connection between different parts of the region.