Aatif Qayoom

Handwara, July 14 (KNS): Residents of Handwara of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Tuesday expressed anger against authorities for failing to provide the basic facilities at New Bus stand Handwara.

According to reports reached to Kashmir News Service (KNS) said that the biggest bus yard in Handwara lacking basic facilities including electricity, water and public washrooms. They added that the bus stand has been turned into a dumping site due to no attention given by authorities.

The residents said that despite spending millions of rupees for its beautification in recent past but soon after its inaugural, authorities left it unattended. They alleged that water tank constructed in the yard in which lakhs of rupees were spent, has become a safer place for dogs.

“Similarly thirty lakh rupees have been spent to construct two washrooms for public convenience but both lacking the water and electricity facilities which left the common people especially passengers into trauma.

A driver requested not be named said if MCH Handwara doesn’t avoid dumping garbage in bus stand, it will choke vehicular movement into the yard. He added that dogs roaming in and around the bus yard poses threat to passengers who wish to move to other places.

Fayaz Ahmad a local resident said the bus stand was made to provide the better facilities to the people of the area, however it has brought a bad name on the name of development in the area.

He said the government spent huge amount of funds over the construction of bus stand, water tank and washrooms in order to avoid massive traffic jams but it seems the money is going to be waste and the site turned into garbage site.

Locals allege that officials have failed to maintain the development of bus stand and said they are engaging only in gaining personal benefits out of public development.

Executive Officer, Municipal Committee Handwara Farooq Ahmad admitted the fault and said the issue has been already taken up with concern Deputy Commissioner for its immediate redressal.

However he maintained that some elements are creating hurdles in ensuring water supply in the wash rooms but soon it will be dealt as per law.

When asked about why authorities dump garbage in bus stand, he said due to winters the permanent site was not reachable for vehicles and now as weather has improved, garbage will be lifted soon. (KNS)