The widening and macadamisation of an arterial road in south Kashmir’s Shopian district have got stymied due to the delay in shifting of various utility lines along the stretch.
The work on Bijhbebhara-Shopian road has been lingering forpast more than two years as the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department andthe Power Development Department (PDD) are allegedly disinclined to shift theutility lines from the road.
Official sources told Greater Kashmir that the water supplypipes and few electric lines laid along the road had not been shifted by thedepartments concerned despite the repeated submissions.
“We wrote them many a time particularly the PHEdepartment but to no avail”, said an official at R&B Division,Shopian who chose not to be named.
He said that due to their indifference the widening processwas disrupted.
“It is only in their control to shift theselines,” added the official. Officials from PHE department told Greater Kashmir that it would costthem heavily to shift the utility lines and the department engaged in roadwidening and macadamisation process had not released them sufficient funds forthe purpose.
Additional Deputy Commissioner, Shopian, Shabir Hussian Bhatsaid the administration had taken up and sorted out the matter with otherdepartments. “We have also releasedthem a portion of funds for shifting the utility lines,” Bhat said,assuring that there would be no more delay.