Srinagar, Dec 4: The eight-kilometer Sopore-Ladoora Road continues to be in shambles from the past many years causing immense hardships to thousands of people.
 The residents of area told Greater Kashmir that this vital link connecting Sopore town with more than 50 villages of Rafiabad was in dilapidated condition for the past two decades.
 “It takes us more than one hour to cover journey of 15 minutes due to this dilapidated road. The condition of road puts question mark on government’s claims about improving the road connectivity in rural areas,” the residents said.
 The fruit growers are also up in arms against the apathetic attitude of government towards this stretch of immense importance for them.
 “This area is not only fruit producing, but Asia’s second largest fresh fruit market is located on this route, where people not only from other states, but also from other countries like Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka come to purchase apples ever year. What impression they would get about the development here on seeing this bumpy road,” said Fayaz Ahmed, a fruit grower.
 Officials told Greater Kashmir that project for macadamizing the road was sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Graham Sadak Yojna (PMGSY). “But the work is being done at snails pace and is often halted,” they said, adding “the government was citing lame excuses for delay in the execution of road project”
 “We have been hearing excuses of paucity of funds, cold response to tenders for delay in the work for past three years,” the residents alleged.
 When contacted, R&B minister, Javaid Ahmed Dar said “the work was stopped for six months this year, due to the unrest.” “The six kilometer stretch from Sopore-Achabal is being executed under PMGSY and rest two kilometers would be taken in second phase,” he said.
 The minister said they were hopeful that work on Sopore-Achabal would be completed by next year.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 4 Dec 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 4 Dec 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 5 Dec 2010 00:00:00 IST