Authorities sit over repair of vital routes
Inordinate delay by the authorities to undertake repairs of dilapidated roads across the summer capital is giving a tough time to commuters.
Following snowfall and incessant rains, most of the roads in the city have developed potholes hampering smooth flow of vehicular movement. Though, the authorities temporarily repaired major cracks and potholes on some city roads by filling them up with sand and soil, however the material was washed away due to water-logging.
“Instead of macmadisation, the Roads and Buildings department has only been undertaking patchwork,” said Ali Muhammad of Jawahar Nagar locality here.
Roads in various areas including Bemina, Rangreth, Solina, Rajbagh, Rawalpora, Rambagh, Qamarwari, Soiteng and Lasjan localities are dotted with potholes.
“Most of these roads were macmadized over a year ago. Ironically, due to use of substandard material, roads easily get damaged after rains or snowfall,” said a group of inhabitants of Soiteng and Padshahibagh areas here.
The Rawalpora-Rangreth road, which is considered to be vital as it leads to one of the largest Industrial estates in Kashmir, is also in shambles. “We face immense problems to drive through this dilapidated stretch of road. Due to potholes many vehicles have been damaged,” said Ghulam Nabi, a driver.
The problem has been compounded by digging of roads by various departments. The roads at Maulana Azad Road and Lal Chowk were recently dug up for laying sewerage pipes. “Ironically, the concerned departments filled up these roads with soil and sand. These patchworks cannot withstand rains,” said Abdul Rahim, a commuter.
“It is ironical that most of the roads in Srinagar are in shambles. Presence of potholes has made driving nearly impossible,” said Rameez Mushtaq of Batamaloo.
The dilapidated roads cause frequent traffic jams as motorists prefer to drive slowly to avoid damage to their cars. Sources in the Roads and Buildings department cited lack of funds for delay in repairs of roads in Srinagar. “Hopefully, funds will be released in April and we will on priority start macmadisation of damaged roads,” said senior officer of the department
Meanwhile, commuters have appealed the Minister for Public Works, Syed Altaf Bukhari, to direct the concerned department to undertake immediate repairs of roads in the summer capital.
