Baramulla, Sep 22: The residents of Sangrama in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district are grappling with respiratory issues stemming from air pollution caused by the construction of a flyover on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway.
The ongoing construction work on the Sangrama flyover has significantly disrupted the lives of residents over the past several months. The situation has worsened since a connecting byway was established to link Baramulla town and Sopore town with the Srinagar highway.
The locals said that throughout the day, thousands of vehicles traverse the area at high speeds, dispersing dust particles into the residential zones. Even commuters passing through the bustling Srinagar-Baramulla highway have voiced their grievances.
Faced with scorching heat, they find themselves compelled to close their vehicle windows to shield against the onslaught of dust.
“Closing the windows in such sweltering conditions is akin to enduring ten minutes of torture. Authorities should prioritise road macadamisation to alleviate the public’s predicament,” said Abdul Majid, a local.
Zubair Ahmad, a trader in Sangrama, warned, “If the authorities fail to combat air pollution, we will take the matter to the National Green Tribunal (NGT).”
The local residents said they now cannot venture outside without masks due to the severe dust levels, which cause respiratory distress.
“We have abandoned our morning walks due to the dust. Most residents either rely on vehicles or wear masks when leaving their homes. The authorities should have taken preventative measures to prevent dust from encroaching into residential areas,” lamented one resident.
“The people here are suffering because the authorities are yet to macadamise the connecting byway,” they added, highlighting the lack of dust-suppression efforts, such as water sprinkling.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Dr Sehrish Asgar has instructed BEACON authorities to expedite the macadamisation of the Sangrama byway, citing its public importance and the need to avert undesirable circumstances.
