Aatif Qayoom
Kupwara, Jul 26 (KNS): The tall claims of the government of providing better road connectivity have fallen flat on the ground as majority of the roads across Kupwara district in north Kashmir are in dilapidated condition, thus leaving the commuters to lurch at large.

According to Kashmir News Service (KNS) correspondent, the locals said that the pivotal roads including Handwara-Ramhal, Handwara-Rajwar, Mawer and other adjoining villages are dotted with potholes from last year.

“This road connects several villages up to Ramhal, Mawer areas with Sub-District headquarter Handwara. Due to the pathetic condition of the roads, students, patients and employees are facing immense hardships to reach their respective destinations on time.”

The residents of Warpora, Neelipora, Magam, Geerpora, Hangha, Maratgam and Batgund alleged that the officials from concerned department are not inviting any tender for the renovation of these roads. “Due to the dilapidated condition of the roads and lack of proper drainage system, the commuters are facing problems,” they lamented.

“The commercial drivers are now denying to ply on this route as they claim that the potholed roads are causing extensive damage to their vehicles,” a local Irshad Ahmad of Wodiopra said.

Locals of Geerpora said that some patch work was done before elections for the movement of the higher authorities to show them that the road is in good condition.

“The problem increases manifolds during rainy season, thus making roads accident prone,” said Imran Shah, a resident of Palldajh.

“We request the higher authorities to start the work as soon as we are facing hardships in reaching college and school on time,” a group of students told KNS.

A top official in Roads and Building (R&B) department said that the macadamization work on the road will be started soon. “We have already done some patch repair work before elections and rest work will be started soon,” he added. (KNS)