Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar Oct 10: The inspection canal road for the Lower Jehlum Hydel Project in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district is in deplorable condition, causing significant inconvenience to commuters.
Local residents said that this road serves as a crucial link to a project of public importance and connects around a dozen villages. These villages have been grappling with numerous issues due to the poor road conditions. “Only six kilometres of the road have been repaired in the past 10 years, and the patchwork done in some places has been ineffective. Approximately 10 villages rely on this road for connectivity, and it is currently not drivable. We urge the government to address these problems and repair the road,” a resident said.
People from the Peerniya and Gantamulla areas of Baramulla allege that the concerned department has not done anything to maintain the road. Despite recent patchwork carried out by the authorities, it was not done properly, leaving most of the damaged road unattended. “This neglect affects nearly 10 villages that depend on this road for connectivity. Moreover, there is a shrine in the vicinity that is visited by many people. They conducted temporary patchwork, which, according to reliable sources, cost around Rs 16 lakh. Unfortunately, this work was substandard and a waste of public funds,” one resident stated.
Arshid Ahmad Monga, AEE Lower Jhelum, acknowledged the repair work that has been undertaken and provided insight into future plans. “We have initiated repair work on certain sections of the road. The pending portion will be addressed in the upcoming financial year. It is important to note that this road is primarily intended for canal maintenance but is also used by the public,” he said.
He added that the proposal was submitted in 2022 and the allocation was received in September, followed by the tendering process. “Tender contracts were awarded in March, and repairs were carried out where deemed necessary. The remaining work will be tackled in the next financial year,” he said.
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