Dilapidated Kalantara-Kreeri road takes toll on commuters

Srinagar, July 08: People of more two dozen villages have been left to suffer due to dilapidated condition of Kreeri-Kalantara road in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district due to failure of authorities to undertake macadamization and repair work, locals said.
The residents demanded immediate macadamization and repairing of the 8 kilometre dilapidated road which has also developed potholes and is without parapet walls which has become a source of inconveniences for pregnant women, children, students and elderly.
Residents of Kalantara, Tangwari, Mongam, Durhama, Watergam, Kreeri and its adjoining areas said the road remains abuzz with vehicular movement and is in dilapidated condition from eight years. They accused R&B for failing to visit the area for ground assessment.
Manzoor Ahmad, a resident of Kalantara said it has become difficult for people especially patients to travel in public transport adding drivers also refuse to travel on the road.
“We had requested the R&B Department several times to macadamize the road but only fake promises were made and nothing was done unfortunately,” he said.
The vital link road is the only option to reach Sub District Hospital Kreeri. The patients of villages who visit the facility for treatment suffer the most, especially the pregnant women.
The residents of the areas said the potholes were filled some five years back and since then no further repair work was done on the road leaving people to suffer.
Ghulam Mohammad, another local said despite huge public outcry the R&B Department has failed to fill even the potholes which are making it difficult to walk on it by foot leave alone traffic movement.
“We have been demanding macadamization for a long time now. Our vehicles are also damaged. If the road is not macadamized then we would not ply vehicles on the road,” said a cab driver from the area.
He said many passengers who visit Srinagar daily now take the Barareshi-Tangmarg route to reach Srinagar which has also affected the cab service and drivers in the area.
The residents appealed to the R&B Department and concerned departments to wake up and take up the work of blacktopping the roads in this season to save them from problems.
Chief Engineer, R&B Kashmir, Tanvir Mir said she has brought the issue into the knowledge of the concerned officers and they are also working on it.
“We have already forwarded a proposal that there are some damaged roads and once the higher authorities authorize us to take cognizance we will invite the tenders,” she said.