Pulwama/ Shopian, Feb 20:  Despite the tall claims of the National Conference led coalition government of improving the road connectivity across the Jammu and Kashmir, majority of roads in these twin districts of South Kashmir are in shambles thereby giving tough time to the people.
 One of the important Shopian-Kellar road people say is in a dilapidated condition for it has not been macadamized since last 20 years.
 “Due to the pathetic condition of the road the villagers of Zawoora, Vishru, Narpora, Maspora and Kellar have been suffering immensely for long,” said the villagers.
 They said that the patients and expecting mothers have to face tremendous difficulty due to the bumpy road condition in this 16 Kilometer long stretch.
 “The callousness of the authorities towards this area can be gauged from the fact that even the damaged bridge on the road has not been repaired,” said the residents.
 The condition of Shopian- Trenz-Tarkiwangam road is no different.
 One of the other important road connecting Shopian with Arwani area of Islamabad (Anantnag) district ie, Shopian-Zainpora-Arwani road is also bumpy and dotted with potholes.
 The roads in Pulwama district also present a sorry picture.
 The road stretch connecting Pulwama with Sangam area in Islamabad (Anantnag) district; Pulwama-Litter-Sangam road is in shambles causing huge inconvenience to the passengers.
 “Due to the pathetic condition of the road, we are not able to make it to our work places in time,” said Firdous Ahmad, a lecturer in Degree College Women College Islamabad (Anantnag) who hails from Pulwama.
 He said that the journey which could be completed in an hour takes three hours on the route.
 People also complain that their vehicles have got damaged because of the bumpy roads as a result of which the maintenance cost of their cars has risen manifold.   
 “The dilapidated condition of Padhgampora-Nayina road is also causing inconvenience to the people of Gulzarpura, Tukna, Kaawni and Dogripora villages,” residents say.
 They also complain that the seven Kilometer long Newa-Ruhmu road connecting villages of Zadoora, Wahibugh, Chewai Khurud, Ruhmu and Pakherpora is dilipidated.
 Furthermore, people say that even the internal roads of main towns of these two districts; Shopian, Pulwama, Pampore, Awantipora and Tral are not fully macadamized.
 People in these areas often complain of respiratory disorders during dry season due to the inhalation of dust that keeps on emanating following the movement of vehicles.
 “In summer, most of the people here now prefer to cover their nose with masks and handkerchiefs to prevent the inhalation of dust,” said, Qayoom, a resident of Pulwama.
 He said that during rainy season and winter the condition of the road gets more decrepit.
 The residents of both these areas sought the intervention of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah in this regard.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST