SRINAGAR: The Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department has started the resurfacing, macadamization, and upgradation of roads in the valley earlier compared to the previous year, an official said on Thursday.
Chief Engineer R&B Kashmir, Rafiq Ahmad Rafiq, stated that the department has already cleared a road stretch of approximately 250 kilometers.
“The restoration, resurfacing, and upgradation of roads were initiated earlier this year with a target of covering a road stretch of around 1600 kilometers falling under our jurisdiction, and all necessary upgrades will be implemented,” Rafiq said. He added, “The restoration work started early this year, and out of the allocated 1600 km road stretch, we have so far cleared 250 km.”
Despite some setbacks caused by rainfall last month following a dry weather period, we continued the work, he said.
The Chief Engineer mentioned that last year, the restoration and resurfacing work began in April, whereas this year, the work started around February. The scheduled G-20 event in May in Srinagar also expedited the work, and in Srinagar, we cover approximately 5.7 km every day, he said.
Rafiq stated that in the Srinagar district, a road stretch of around 400 km falls under our jurisdiction, and the restoration work has already commenced. He added, “All the required restoration and resurfacing in Srinagar will be undertaken. Currently, the work is being carried out at various locations in Srinagar.”
According to R&B Department officials, Srinagar has a road stretch of around 1758 km, of which 1394 km is managed by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), while the remaining road stretch falls under the department, which also includes a minor road stretch in Budgam district.
It is worth mentioning that residents from several parts of the valley have been demanding blacktopping and upgradation of their roads, citing numerous issues experienced during both dry and rainy weather. (KNO)
