Sopore, Aug 28: This north Kashmir town once known as “Chotta London” for its prosperity and economic boom now symbolizes the tale of discrimination and official apathy.
 The Apple town, historically anti-establishment, has taken backseat in the development over the past two decades. Not only this, projects started even before 1990 are yet to be completed.  Basic facilities like water and health seem a distant dream for the residents even as government repeatedly makes claims of redressing the development deficit here. During past few years Government has concentrated on taking strategic measures like creation of police district and setting up of more and more bunkers.

SOPORE BYEPASS
 Seven years back, the works on construction of the separate bye-pass was taken up in the town, but it is yet to be finished due to lackadaisical attitude of Beacon and contractors.
 According to the details available the Beacon floated tenders for the work in 2004. It set three years as deadline for the completion of the project. However, the project has not been completed till date. This alternate route would have eased traffic congestion and reduces the convoy pressure on the interiors of town. Talking to Greater Kashmir, Colonel Works Beacon Devinder Singh admits that there has been delay in the completion of the project.
 “The contactor has been citing security reasons for the delay in constructing of bridge and approach roads to it. We have asked him to expedite work or else contract would be terminated,” he said, adding that the deadline for the bye-pass has been extended upto March 2012.  

SOPORE SUB DISTRICT HOSPITAL
 The Sub District Hospital Sopore on which work was started two decades back is yet to completed.
 According to the locals, the foundation stone for construction of the 200-  bedded hospital in the memory of late Sofi  Muhammad Akbar was laid in late 80’s but till date only its OPD block has been completed At present the hospital is running from  the OPD block which was thrown open in 2008.
 The work on In- Patient Department, Operation Theatre, Service block and Nursing block is still on. The condition of Mother and Childcare hospital is no different as it lacks proper infrastructure and staff .

WATER CRISIS
 Shortage of water  is the second major reason for the demonstrations here. Most of the town particularly areas of  old Sopore and satellite colonies like Noorbagh, Shallapora and Model Town bear the brunt of water crisis round the year.
 The failure of the Public Health Engineering Department to pump the required 24 lakh gallons of water daily to cater to the needs of the town is main cause for the water shortage here.
 “Yes it is true that there is water shortage and it would be redressed with the commissioning of the parallel pipeline from Sharakwara,” Executive Engineer Abdul Qayoom Choudary said.

ROADS
 The roads are the lifeline of the economy of any place, but most of the roads leading to the town are in shambles, virtually making it out of bounds for the residents of the adjoining areas.
  Like other works, two major road projects Sopore Bandipore and Sopore- Achabal road have not been completed on time.
 Going by the present pace of the work, the completion of the 30 kilometer Sopore –Bandipore road constructed by “chronic deadline misser” Economic Reconstruction Agency seems to be a distant dream after missing first deadline of December 2010.
 The work on other major road Sopore–Achabal is also going at snail’s pace. After being cleared under ambitious central scheme, PMGSY, the work over the 6- kilometre has been marred by hurdles over the past three years

BUS STAND
 Pedestrians and transporters are facing numerous hardships due to the dearth of spacious bus stand in the town. According to the locals, the government shifted the bus stand, when the number of vehicles was not more than 20, to its present location in the late 70’s.
 With the increase in transport, nothing concrete was done for decongestion overburdened bus stand except mooting proposals and identifying the land. Different proposals like creation of three bus stands for transport of Srinagar, Kupwara and Bandipore and a single -large bus stand were mooted from time to time. Besides, the government also identified the land for the purpose at Ahadipora and Model town, but it is yet to acquire it.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST