Srinagar, Mar 19: The government of Jammu and Kashmir has acknowledged that streetlights installed on the Narbal-Tangmarg Road in 2011-12 have remained largely non-functional due to a lack of maintenance, leaving them in a dilapidated condition.
In response to a query raised by legislator Farooq Ahmad Shah, the Public Works (R&B) Department stated that the streetlights were installed by the Electric Division Budgam with funds amounting to Rs 400.00 lakh, provided by the Executive Engineer (R&B) Project Circle Division 1st Srinagar.
However, in the absence of a maintenance schedule post-installation, most of the streetlights developed defects over the years, requiring complete repair and renovation.
The department has now prepared an estimate of Rs 251.10 lakh for the restoration, replacement, and repair of the streetlights. Meanwhile, with the Narbal-Tangmarg-Gulmarg Road being declared a National Highway under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and entrusted to the Public Works Department (PWD), a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being prepared for submission to MoRTH for approval.
