Despite being the only road for more than six villages of Shopian, the Chitragam-Drawani road in this district is in dilapidated condition giving tough time to the commuters and residents.
The inhabitants of Gund-Darvesh, Bandpow, Thokerpora, Alishipora, Drawani, and Waddipora villages are up in arms against government and local administration accusing them of failing to macadamize this vital road over past many years.
Villagers said they are facing immense hardships owing to dilapidated condition of this road which connects them with main town and rest of the valley.
“The condition of this road is so bad that children walking on this road have fallen ill. The road has potholes and during rains the driving becomes difficult and dangerous,” said an employee, Shabir Ahmed.
Every day, office goers, patients and students are the worst hit and they often reach their destinations late, he added.
Locals said the government’s tall claims of providing proper road connectivity to rural areas have proved a cruel joke as the main road is in a bad shape and has developed large potholes.
“The road is in such bad condition that the transporters have now refused to ply their vehicles on this road, thereby adding to our miseries. We also face immense hurdles to take sick or pregnant woman to hospital,” said a villager Abdul Khaliq.
Locals said that concerned authorities have turned blind eye towards this issue and appealed the higher officials to look into the matter.
When contacted, executive engineer Road and Buildings (R&B) Shopian Abdul Aziz told Greater Kashmir, “I am unaware about this road. Let you ask villagers to come my office so that their issue will be addressed.”