Commuters struggle as Rs 68 Cr Buchpora-Mallabagh road widening project stalled

Srinagar, Aug 20: Despite being classified as a ‘high-priority’ project with repeated assurances from successive governments, the much-awaited Buchpora-Mallabagh road widening project continues to remain stalled. The Rs 68.9 crore project, which has been in the pipeline for nearly a decade, remains mired in delays due to a shortage of funds, leaving thousands of daily commuters struggling with worsening traffic congestion.The road, which serves as a vital link connecting multiple areas to SKIMS hospital and other key localities, has long been plagued by narrow lanes and inadequate infrastructure. This results in frequent traffic jams, especially during peak hours, causing significant inconvenience for residents and commuters alike. Many say the congestion hampers not only their daily routines but also emergency services.Touseef Mattoo, a daily commuter, expressed his frustration, by stating, “Every morning, I spend over 40 minutes stuck in traffic just to get to work. The road is narrow, and congestion has become unbearable. What should take 10 minutes ends up taking more than half an hour. It’s not just frustrating, it affects our entire day and makes commuting a real struggle.”Athar Andrabi, another commuter, added, “Traffic here is unbearable, especially during peak hours. This road is a vital link for several educational institutions and commercial areas. Every morning and evening, school buses, vans, and private vehicles converge, creating massive bottlenecks. The government must prioritise widening this road—it has been long overdue.”Abdul Hamid, a local resident, pointed out, “We have seen governments come and go, all making promises about this road. Nothing has moved on the ground. People have lost faith because the project seems to exist only on paper.”Samiullah Naqash, another resident, highlighted the toll on emergency services, “The congestion here affects everyone, but it hits emergency services the hardest. Ambulances often get caught in traffic, delaying critical care and putting lives at risk. It’s heartbreaking to see them stuck for long stretches while patients are being rushed to hospitals.”Local business owners also find themselves in limbo. Abrar Mir, who runs a kirana store in the area, said, “We were told compensation and rehabilitation plans are ready, but nothing has reached us. We are caught in uncertainty — not knowing whether to invest in our shops or wait for the government to finally act.”It is pertinent to mention that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the road widening includes substantial allocations for construction and rehabilitation. Official documents show that Rs 13.72 crore has been earmarked for construction, while a larger share — around Rs 55.18 crore — has been set aside for land acquisition, compensation for affected structures, and the rehabilitation of 58 shopkeepers whose businesses will be displaced by the widening process. However, the necessary funds have yet to be released, preventing any significant progress on the ground.According to a senior R&B official, requesting anonymity, several factors have contributed to the prolonged delay. “Earlier, some parties declined the rates offered by the government for land acquisition and compensation. In response, fresh rates have been prepared and are now awaiting formal approval. While the technical clearances for the project are ready, the major hurdle remains funding. The department has not received any allocation so far, and work on the road widening will only commence once the necessary funds are released,” the official said. With no clear timeline for the release of funds, the future of the Buchpora-Mallabagh road widening project remains uncertain, leaving commuters and residents to continue facing daily traffic struggles