Srinagar, July 4: The residents of Nigeen and Hazratbal areas are facing inconvenience due to the ongoing construction of drain in the area, on for a over a year. But the same could lead to more of inconvenience for thousands of devotees who are expected to visit the Hazratbal shrine during nearing Me’raj-e-Aalam (SAW) celebrations.
 Nigeen road is the common route for three main sites- the Hazratbal shrine, Kashmir University and the National Institute of Technology.
 While hundreds of students visiting the KU or the NIT have been bearing with the inconvenience and reaching their destinations late, the devotees are feared to bear more as the incomplete drains could lead to frequent traffic jams during the festival.
 “This is sorry state of affairs that the government hasn’t been able to complete drainage work on this vital road link to the Hazratbal shrine,” said Ghulam Muhammad, a local.
 The residents are annoyed at the slow pace of construction.
 The condition of road from Nigeen club to National Institute of Technology (NIT) is troublesome for the residents and other commuters, alike.
 “During rainy days, the condition of the roads is so bad that local children cannot go to school. And on dry days, billows of dust emanate so much that the pedestrians and shopkeepers feel suffocated,” said a local.
 Ghulam Ahmed Mir, a resident, expressed concern over the continued blockade of drainage system in the area.
 He said the recently completed drainage project on the main road has choked the drains in the by- lanes.
 Due to the chocked drains, the water along with sewage seeps into our houses and lawns which is now affecting our health, the locals said.
 Blaming Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) for not completing the task speedily to relieve people of the agony, the residents said:  “If one wants to see lack of management and the misuse of funds by the government departments, this project is the perfect example.”
 The LAWDA Chairman Irfan Yasin said: “The present issue doesn’t come under his jurisdiction.”
 Asif Hamid, a student of KU expressed inconveniences while traveling on the dilapidated road. He said: “We often get late for our classes and many a time, we have to leave the buses and walk on foot.”
 The residents have requested authorities to look into the matter so that the drainage work is completed at an earliest.

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