Srinagar, May 15: The residents of Chandpora locality in Habba Kadal continue to face daily hardships due to the poor condition of the main road, which they say has remained neglected for over a year. The issue, according to locals, is due to drainage work that was abruptly halted, leaving the road severely dilapidated and unsafe for commuters.
The road, which serves as a vital link connecting several areas of the locality, is riddled with large potholes and uneven surfaces that have worsened over time. Residents say commuting has become increasingly difficult and dangerous, especially for children and the elderly.
“This road is the lifeline of our area, but its current state makes it nearly impossible to use,” said Tariq Naqash, a resident. “The drainage work was stopped midway, and since then, no one has bothered to fix the road.” Many fear the damaged road may lead to serious accidents. “It feels like a minefield,” said Mubashir Wani, another local. “You have to constantly watch your step. It’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.” Parents are particularly concerned about their children. “I worry every time my kids leave for school,” said Sumaiya Dar, a mother of two kids. “The potholes are deep and unpredictable. It’s not safe.” For the elderly residents of the area, the road conditions have made simple tasks like grocery shopping an ordeal. “I used to go out daily to buy vegetables, but now I avoid stepping out unless necessary,” said Ghulam Mohammad, a 60-year-old resident. “Last winter, I slipped in one of the potholes. Since then, I stay home.”
The situation worsens during rainfall and snowfall, when water fills the potholes, making the road slippery and difficult to navigate. “During rains, the road turns into a muddy mess. It becomes nearly impossible to walk or drive safely,” said Asif Mir, a local resident. “Frozen water in the potholes turns the road into a skating rink. I have seen many people slip and injure themselves,” added another resident. Shopkeepers in the area have also been affected. “When it rains or snows, the road becomes so muddy that people avoid using it. This directly affects our sales,” said Ashfaq Lone, a shopkeeper. Residents are now demanding immediate intervention from the authorities to complete the drainage work and repair the road. “If the drainage is finished and the road is properly repaired, it will bring relief to everyone here,” said Naveed War, a local resident. Responding to these concerns, a senior official at Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), requesting anonymity, said the work was paused during winter. “Now that the weather has improved, drainage work will pick up again. Once it’s completed, the road will be fixed,” the official said. As authorities work to resolve the issue, residents of Chandpora remain hopeful that the drainage work will soon be completed and the road repaired, bringing much-needed relief.
