The dilapidated Kuleed road has irked the residents of Kishtwar, who accused the government of showcasing “callousness”.
Kuleed road, just two kilomteres from the main town, has been housing the district mini-secretariat since the past two years, making it among the vital roads in the district.
The irked locals claimed that they urged upon the administration to widen the road as well as repair potholes. “We staged a number of protests against the condition of Kuleed road, but nothing has been done yet,” they said.
Sahil Sen, a resident, told Greater Kashmir: “We even met the deputy commissioner regarding the widening and maintenance of Kuleed road. Many appeals were forwarded to the concerned department, but they administration continues to be in deep slumber.”
He further said, “The surprising fact is that a large number of government employees commute on the road as the mini-secretariat is located on it. But, they still do not care to repair it.”
Pertinently, the head offices of all district officers function from the mini-secretariat building. These include the offices of district developmental commissioner, assistant labor commissioner, assistant regional transport officer, assistant commissioner of development, chief horticulture officer, chief medical officer and chief education officer.
“I applied for a bank load to purchase a car. But, as I have to travel to my office daily through the Kuleed road, I have changed my mind to buy the new car. The road is in such a bad shape that a new car will have more wear and tear than it normally should. Now I am waiting for the road to be repaired. If and when that happens, I will buy a new car,” a government employee, posted at the mini secretariat office and wishing not to be named, said.
The general public accused the concerned department as well as the district administration of playing with their lives by not initiating repair work. “We hope that the government wakes up from the deep slumber and repairs the road before something bad happens,” they said.