Delay in the construction work and slow pace of work since last year on a road in Imamshahib area of south Kashmir’s Shopian is troubling the residents of a string villages in the district.
Many residents told Greater Kashmir that at least aneight-kilometer stretch from Wazir Chek to Nagisharan connecting at least fivevillages is dotted with a plethora of potholes, causing tremendousinconvenience to pedestrians and commuters alike.
“It takes almost an hour to cover these fewkilometers,” said Abdul Basit Malik, a resident.
He said that although the construction of the road was takenup under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) last year, the work had beengoing on at a snail’s pace.
“The work is going on in spurts. We don’t understandwhy the men working on the road sometimes vanish suddenly,” Basit added.
Another resident said that the area has turned prone toaccidents owing to the dilapidated condition of the road.
“This is an apple-rich area. During the harvestingseason fruit laden trucks often skid off the road, causing huge losses to thegrowers and truckers,” he said, declining to give his name.
Orchardists also complain that truckers often overchargeduring the season because of bad condition of the road.
A band of young residents at Tulran village said thatcommercial transporters did not service the area.
“A few years back, they provided the service to thearea but it was stopped barely a week later,” one of them said.
“Due to the bumpy road, their vehicles startedsuffering damages, that is why they stopped the service.”
Executive Engineer, Phradan Mantri Ghram Sadak YojnaMuzaffar Ahmad said that the work was stymied many times due to inclementweather conditions.
“Now as the weather has improved, we are trying toexpedite the work,” Ahmad said.