Srinagar residents’ rue over dilapidated condition of inner links

Srinagar, August 25: Expressing anger against the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for its failure to macadamize inner roads in Srinagar, residents from various areas have criticized the SMC for not paying attention to these crucial inner links.
Scores of people from both downtown and uptown areas conveyed to Rising Kashmir that, since the responsibility for macadamization of these inner roads was handed over to the SMC, only certain preferred routes have been resurfaced, while other roads remain neglected.
Local residents have accused SMC corporators of prioritizing the macadamization of their own roads, leaving common people to silently endure the deteriorating conditions. In neighbourhoods like Brain Nisahat, Chanpora, and other peripheral sections of the city, people have reported that their roads have not been macadamized in the past five years.
Majid Bashir, a resident of Brain, informed Rising Kashmir that they held hopes for the macadamization of their roads once the SMC assumed responsibility. However, no substantial changes have been observed, with certain sections of these roads appearing as ancient pathways.
He expressed anger at having notified the relevant authorities multiple times, only to receive assurances without tangible results. The residents of these areas are urgently calling for the immediate macadamization of these neglected inner links.
An elderly man from Chanpora pointed out that drivers hesitate to enter their colonies due to the poor road conditions. He emphasized that managing daily life on these dilapidated roads has become increasingly difficult for everyone, and urged authorities to take swift action.
Meanwhile, officials from the City Roads Division in Srinagar informed Rising Kashmir that they have formulated a plan for the fiscal year 2023-24 and have submitted it to the SMC. However, they noted a delay on the SMC’s part in approving the plan. Once the plan receives approval, all the roads are slated to undergo macadamization.
Residents of these affected areas have appealed to the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, to intervene and direct the concerned departments to expedite the macadamization process for their roads.