Bandipora, June 25 (KNS): What should be a smooth drive from Sumbal to Bandipora has turned into a bumpy ride through roads cluttered with construction debris, garbage heaps, and illegally parked vehicles—painting a grim picture of civic mess and administrative neglect.
The journey from Sumbal to Bandipora no longer feels like a drive through a modern district. Instead, it resembles a neglected area where public discipline and civic sense seem to have disappeared.
From garbage dumps and piles of construction material to cow dung along the roadside and trucks parked illegally—Bandipora’s main roads have become difficult to recognise and increasingly unsafe.
Besides the usual problems of bad road conditions and traffic congestion, a worrying trend has made things worse: construction materials like gravel, boulders, sand, and iron rods are being dumped right on the roads. This not only blocks traffic but also increases the risk of accidents.
This isn’t limited to just a few places. From Plan Wards to Papchan, Ajas to Aloosa, and even the Kaloosa-Onagam stretch, this practice has become common.
Once usable roads are now partly taken over by dumped material and parked vehicles. Pedestrians are pushed onto the roads, and bikers risk skidding on loose gravel.
“Forget about the footpath—they’ve even taken over the road,” said Shabir, a local resident.
Another commuter, Touseef Ahmad, who travels daily to Srinagar, said, “It takes me almost twice the time now to reach my destination. Every village feels like an obstacle course. Gravel piles, iron rods, and even concrete mixers are parked by the roadside. It’s complete chaos.”
Locals complain that after construction material is dumped on the roads, bulldozers and heavy machinery are brought in to shift it—blocking traffic for hours and damaging the already weak road surface.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
In Bandipora town and nearby areas like Kaloosa, Nusoo, Nadihal, Chitteybandy, Aloosa, and Nowpora, people say this misuse of public space has become a daily headache. Private vehicles, trucks, and tippers are often left parked on the main roads, narrowing them and creating constant traffic bottlenecks.
Wahid from Aloosa said bluntly: “It’s high time these violators are dealt with strictly. There should be heavy fines and even police action. If we don’t act now, these roads will soon become unusable.”
Tariq Hussain, Executive Engineer at the Roads and Buildings Department Bandipora, acknowledged the seriousness of the issue. “Yes, we have noticed this problem. Roads are being misused for dumping construction materials. We will be issuing the notices to the general public for the removal of Construction material, including cow dung on main roads, and we will recommend strict penalties for those who fail to adhere.”
From unmanaged garbage and illegal parking to broken roads and misuse of public spaces—the road from Sumbal to Bandipora tells a story of civic failure. A strong public will, stricter enforcement, and greater awareness are urgently needed. If not, Bandipora’s roads may soon look like they belong to a forgotten time, not a developing district in 21st-century Kashmir.
“We have already issued a public notice regarding the removal of construction material, including cow dung, from roads within town limits,” said Aijaz Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer, Municipal Council Bandipora. “Strict action will be taken against anyone found violating the norms.” (KNS)
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