Srinagar, July 23: Want to know how concerned the government is towards development of old City, the Shar-e-Khaas even after pledging to take its welfare on priority basis? Sample this: after nearly two decades, the road leading to Kalashpora and adjoining areas in the old City was macadamized. But within weeks, it was dug up for laying of drainage pipes making millions of rupees go waste.
 The residents of areas like Kalashpora, Fateh Kadal and Babademb are up in arms against the government for coming up with blacktopping, which didn’t last for even a month due to lack of coordination between the concerned agencies.
 The residents said the road had been in a dilapidated condition for the past nearly two decades. “It was only after years of appeals that the road was macadamized, but only symbolically,” the residents said.
 They accused the government of deliberately victimizing the old City.
 “What prevented the authorities from coordination which would facilitate both the laying of pipes and blacktopping in a proper manner? This callousness on the part of authorities is sheer injustice with the people,” the residents said.
 Sources said around Rs 30 lakh were spent on the macadamization but only to let it go waste.
 Ironically, this is despite the fact that last year the District Development Commissioner Meraj Ahmed Kakroo had reportedly claimed that City development works would be taken up in a co-ordinated manner.
 But the lack of coordination mocks at the government claims. Despite repeated attempts DDC didn’t respond to phone calls.
 Meanwhile the area residents have appealed the local MLA to get the matter probed and take strict action against the officials involved in the misdeed.”
 “If our MLA is so honest towards the development of his constituency, we challenge him to get the matter probed so that the officials at fault are punished and the road repaired at an earliest.”

Lastupdate on : Sat, 23 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 23 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 24 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST