Islamabad (Anantnag), Aug 17: The government’s failure to upgrade the Khanabal-Pahalgam (KP) Road has drawn flak from various quarters. 
 The drains constructed by the authorities in Islamabad town stretch of the road as well as in peripheries, which was part of the Rs 110 crore road widening project are lying defunct and causing tremendous hardships to the inhabitants.
 “Plenty of money was spent on the drainage system for the road in the town and its adjoining areas, but that has proved to be a total failure as even a small downpour inundates the whole area,” say the residents of Iqbalabad.
 “Though money was spent in crores, but work is still incomplete and the central verge is still a non-entity,” said Rayees Ahmad of Laizibal. He said plenty of gaps had been kept for crossing on the dividers near the houses of the influential people and kith and kin of engineers and contractors, thus making no sense of a divider.
 “Due to these numerous gaps the chances of accidents increase,” he added.
 Though the construction of foot paths in the residential areas was also under the road widening proposal, but that has not been accomplished. “Our children are forced to walk in the middle of the road, as there are no foot paths,” said Tariq Ahmad of Bakshiabad.
 He added that money spent on construction of footpaths from Khanabal to Sarnal Check post had totally ‘gone waste’ as it had been raised high above the ground.
 The electric poles erected by the electric wing of the Roads and Building department (R&B) worth crores in the year 2004 residents say, were only made functional during Yatra period.
 The work on the project was started way back in the year 2003 and after missing two deadlines it was accomplished in the year 2009.
 Sources in the R&B department blame the engineers posted in Islamabad and Seer sub-divisions for the whole mess by resorting to diversion of funds and allegedly filling up their own pockets as well as those of politicians and bureaucrats.
 When contacted R&B Chief Engineer, Nazir Ahmad while commenting on the issue of numerous gaps said, “People are not willing to walk even few steps and do not render cooperation while constructing the divider and foot paths. So, there are certain gaps at a very close distance from each other.”
 Regarding the height of the foot path, he said it had been constructed keeping in view that roads are macadamized after every three years.
 About the drainage system, Nazir said R&B was responsible for surface drainage only and it was already functional. “Still I will definitely look into all these issues and do everything possible for the convenience of the people,” Nazir assured.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST