Ongoing drainage work leaves Peerbagh road in ruins, residents fear accidents

Srinagar, Aug 11: Residents of the Peerbagh area in Srinagar are growing increasingly frustrated with the ongoing drainage work that has left their locality in a state of despair. The project, which began nearly five months ago along Peerbagh road near JK Public School, aimed at improving the area’s drainage system. However, it remains unfinished, leaving the road riddled with potholes and open trenches, causing major inconvenience and raising serious safety concerns.According to residents, the road, which serves as a vital link connecting Rawalpora, Kralpora, and other key areas to Airport Road, has become nearly impassable due to the incomplete work. Locals claim the ongoing construction has left large sections dug up, with exposed drains making daily commutes dangerous, especially during low visibility hours. “The road has been in a mess for months, with no signs of progress. The drainage work has left a large portion of the road in poor condition, and a significant section remains dug up with an exposed drain. We’re stuck with this dangerous stretch, and it feels like no one cares,” said Adnan Parray, a local resident.Many residents have raised concerns over the risk of accidents, particularly for school-going children and elderly people who rely on this route daily. Without proper barricades or safety signs around the open trenches, locals fear that it’s only a matter of time before a serious mishap occurs.“School buses and vans transport children along this road every day. What if a child or an elderly person falls into one of these open drains? Who will be held accountable for such negligence?” questioned Muneer Ahmad, a father of two kids.Suhail Nazir, another local resident, recalled a recent incident that highlighted the dangers. “Just a few weeks back, a minor accident took place when a two-wheeler rider narrowly escaped falling into one of the open trenches after losing control on the uneven surface. Thankfully, the rider sustained only minor injuries, but this close call is a warning that the authorities cannot ignore. If they don’t act quickly to finish the work and secure the area, we’re all at risk. The next accident could be far worse,” Nazir said. The situation worsens during late evenings and early mornings when low visibility makes the road even more dangerous. “People, especially the elderly, struggle to walk to mosques for Fajr and Isha prayers. There’s no proper lighting, and the open drains are death traps in the dark,” said Ghulam Mohammad, an elderly resident.Locals have also expressed growing concern about the health risks posed by the open drains, which have become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other pests. Stagnant water mixed with accumulated waste is creating unhygienic conditions that could lead to an increase in waterborne diseases.”With the amount of waste and stagnant water collecting in the open drain, it has become a breeding ground for diseases. We have children and elderly people in our households, and such conditions put their health at serious risk. We urge the authorities to speed up the drainage work before the situation gets out of hand,” said Shabir Naqash, another local.Responding to these concerns, a senior SMC official, requesting anonymity, acknowledged the issue and assured that the department is actively working to address it. “The potholes and damaged sections of the road have been repaired to facilitate smoother movement while drainage work continues. The project is progressing as planned, and we expect it to be completed soon. Once finished, it will improve the road’s condition and help prevent waterlogging in the future,” the official said.