Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 3: The uncovered manholes in Baramulla town of North Kashmir are a matter of inconvenience and continue to pose threat to human lives.
The locals said the manholes along main highway -stretching from Nanak Bhawan to Tehsil Road – are without covers from years with officials from one Government department blaming other for the fault.
Even as the open manholes risk everyone’s life but students are more prone to the threat since four major schools are located along the highway in the town which include Saint Joseph, Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Public School and Guru Nanak School.
“In 2013, we met the then DC and apprised him about our concerns. He told us to meet officials of R&B. When we met R&B officials, they told us to meet Municipal Council officials and when we met Municipal authorities, they referred us to Beacon authorities,” said General secretary of Beopar Mandal Baramulla, Tariq Ahmad, adding that although Beacon officials assured us that they will take up the work but they blamed PHE water pipes for the repeated mess.
“Then, we met PHE officials and apprised them about the matter and they told us that the pipes are rusted and they can’t take up any work and if they do the same, then old pipes can’t be replaced which in return would compound the problem,” he said.
Appealing all concerned authorities to abandon the dilly-dallying tactics, the residents of the town demanded that all uncovered manholes should be covered so that the prevailing threat is evaded.
Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Mushtaq Ahmad, told Excelsior that he will look into the matter. “Although, no one brought this issue into my notice but still I will look into this matter,” he said.
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