Srinagar, July 18: The Asian Development Bank funded Rs multi crore project aimed to “improve and upgrade” the road connectivity in Srinagar from Jehangir Chowk to SK Institute of Medical Sciences Soura seems to have proved exactly the opposite as a vital portion of the road is in a bad condition even after expiry of project completion deadline multiple times. Courtesy: the “lazy” attitude of the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) towards the project.
 The project, which started in 2007 was scheduled to be completed within 18 months. But around five years on, not only the project is incomplete, the road too is obviously dilapidated between SKIMS Soura and SMHS Hospital. This is proving fatal for the patients being ferried between the two key hospitals in the City.

THE PROJECT
 In 2007, the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) started work on water supply line along Dr Ali Jan Road, for which, one of the two lanes was dug up.
 The work was scheduled to be completed in 18 months. But till now it’s incomplete.

THE FALLOUTS
 The incomplete work has not only left one of the two tubes closed  for vehicular traffic, the condition of the condition of the rest of the road stretch is so bad that, as per the locals, it had caused accidents in the area.

SAFA KADAL ROAD IN SHAMBLES
 Around a feet deep potholes dot the road stretch Kak Sarai onwards particularly upto Eidgah.
 During traffic rush, the bad road leads to traffic jams as vehicles slow down.
 This traffic mess and dusty bumpy condition has left the locals up in arms against the government.
 “At times the traffic jams last for an hour. One can only imagine the plight of patients being ferried to SKIMS or SMHS who get stuck,” the residents of Safa Kadal complained.
 They said even though the road stretch connects to many areas, the government had failed to improve the connectivity.
 The residents said for the past five years the road was never repaired.
 “The big potholes are enough to convey that how old these must be,” said a local Ghulam Muhammad while pointing towards the dilapidated road.

DOUBLE TROUBLE
 While during traffic jams, the traffic movement slows down, the problem is deadly at other times.
 “Speeding vehicles at times remain unaware that the road ahead would be full of potholes. And this sudden bad road condition leads to accidents,” said a traffic police official adding that several mishaps have taken place in the area.
 The sudden bumpy road condition has proved fatal for the ambulances ferrying patients.
 Doctors at SKIMS said at times the condition of the patient deteriorated due to “bumpy travel.”
 “Patients being rushed from SMHS to SKIMS are mostly in a critical condition and need utmost care while being ferried. But the bad road condition prove detrimental for the travel, and can even cause death,” said a SKIMS medico requesting not to be named.
 
ERA SPEAKS
 The ERA Chief Engineer Khalid Muzaffar said even though the laying of pipes had been completed, the macadamization was awaited.
 The official who assumed the project charge a few months back said the blacktopping contract has been cancelled because the contractor has failed to meet the parameters.
 “The work is likely to be handed over to the R&B department,” he added

THE CHRONIC FALLOUTS

5 years on, one of the Dr Ali Jan Road lanes closed for traffic

5 years on, dilapidated Safa Kadal road in shambles

ERA forgets timely macadamization

No decision yet on much awaited road repairs

Lastupdate on : Mon, 18 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 18 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST