The tall claims of the government about improving road quality notwithstanding, majority of the roads across Kupwara are in dilapidated condition.
Locals of Handwara complained that one of the importantroads, Handwara to Ramhal and adjoining villages, is dotted with potholes for ayear now. “This road connects several villages of Ramhal area with thesub-district headquarter Handwara. Due to its pathetic condition, commutersincluding the students, patients and employees face immense hardships to reachtheir respective destinations,” a local Nazir Ahmad said.
“The commercial drivers refuse to ply on this route,” alocal Irshad Ahmad of Wodiopra said.
The residents of Warpora, Neelipora, Magam, Geerpora,alleged that the officials of concerned department are not issuing tenders forthe repair of this road.
Locals of Geerpora said that some patch work was done beforeelections for the movement of the higher authorities. “With the passing of theelection, the work was been abandoned.”
“The problem increases manifold during rainy season. Thechances of the road accidents increase when the road is slippery,” said Imran Shah,a resident of Palldajh.
The locals requested the higher authorities to start thework at the earliest. “We are facing immense hardships while reaching thecollege/school on time. It takes us more than one hour instead of 20 minutes toreach our educational institutions,” a group of students told Greater Kashmir.
A senior official in the R&B department said the work onthe road will be started soon. “We have done some patch repair work before theelections, rest work will be initiated soon,” he said.