Baramulla, June 12: The residents of Old Town Baramulla have strongly criticised the authorities for their failure to provide improved road connectivity. The Azad Gunj to Khadiniyar road, constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), has remained in a dilapidated state for several years, despite repeated pleas from the locals to address the issue.
The residents are now calling upon the Deputy Commissioner of Baramulla and the Chief Engineer of PMGSY to urgently address the issue and ensure the timely repair and improvement of the road.
The locals told Rising Kashmir that the road, which serves as a vital link, has been neglected, and the authorities have shown little concern for macadamising it.
Irshad Ahmad Bhat, a local, said the road is full of potholes and makes it difficult for the people to commute. “The authorities are aware of the situation but have failed to take any action.
The road experiences heavy traffic flow during the morning and evening hours with hundreds of vehicles including school buses and heavy-loaded tippers passing through the area.
The route is also important for the Sikh community as it leads to the main Gurdwara in the area. The locals said the road passes through numerous mohallas and villages, and the residents of these areas are facing great difficulties, especially during emergencies.
“The situation worsens during rains when the potholes get filled with murky water, making it nearly impossible for vehicles to navigate through,” a resident of Mohalla Jalal Sahib, said. “Even pedestrians find it challenging to walk on the road.”
The residents have urged the DC Baramulla and the Chief Engineer of PMGSY to ensure the macadamisation of the road, especially the 3-kilometer stretch from Azad Gunj to Drangbal, at the earliest. They said the road is located in the heart of Old Town Baramulla and should have been repaired much earlier.
According to the AEE PMGSY, the road is currently undergoing maintenance and repairs, specifically with regard to the damaged stretch. “The executing agency is somewhat hesitant to proceed with the repairs due to pipe leakages and other related issues,” he said.
He further said that the PHE leakage, household drainage, and heavy traffic within the initial two to three kilometres are contributing to road damage. However, the AEE PMGSY expressed his commitment to repairing the first two kilometres.
