The Srinagar administration has ordered the fencing of several bridges in the city to prevent suicides by jumping into the Jhelum.

The order involves raising the height of the parapets of the bridges or adding a human-sized fence.

Several bridges in Kashmir, known for offering a glimpse of the city’s captivating scenery, have earned the label of “suicide points”. Every year, around a dozen suicide attempts are made on the bridges across the city.

The news of every such attempt spread like wildfire and spark panic because most of the victims are youngsters. The move of erecting fences is driven by necessity though they add to the caged look of Kashmir, sources said. The city administration seems to have woken up to growing demands for fencing the bridges to prevent suicides.

Srinagar deputy commissioner Dr Bilal Mohi-ud-din Bhat on Wednesday said the process of fencing the sides of various bridges had started.

“It will save precious lives,” he said.

The deputy commissioner said ₹19 lakh had been earmarked for fencing the city’s Nawa Kadal and Fateh Kadal bridges.

Similarly, a detailed project report (DPR) of ₹9 lakh, ₹29 lakh and ₹11 lakh has been prepared for Gow Kadal, Safa Kadal and Qamarwari bridges.

July saw suicide attempts by at least three youths jumping into the river from several city bridges.

On Wednesday, a teenage girl jumped from the Habba Kadal bridge in the old city. Earlier, Faid Fayaz, a Bemina resident, reportedly committed suicide by jumping from the Qamarwari bridge.

Suicides in Kashmir were rare before militancy, with a Medicines Sans Frontiers 2015 report putting it at 0.5 per 1,00,000.