Idrees Bukhtiyar
SRINAGAR
Residents of Bhat and Bilalabad Mohalla in Garkote village of North Kashmir’s Uri are up in arms against Roads & Building (R&B) department for failing to construct protection walls along the Lagama-Garkote road.
Locals in the area said they are facing hardships as lack of protection walls is posing threat to their lives.
“We have to face a lot of inconvenience as no protection walls have been constructed on the road side,” said a group of locals. “This incomplete road often triggers landslides in rainy days which affect our houses as well as our fields.”
The residents living close to road are the worst hit of landslides.
“My house was completely damaged in the recent rains as it lies close to the road side,” said Bashir Ahmad Bhat, a local. “The road of our village usually remains cut-off for weeks with rest of the town during rains.”
Lagama-Garkote, a 7km stretch starting from Lagama area on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway was constructed during 90s, and is presently in dilapidated condition, awaiting macdamization.
Despite being the only route to the home of senior leader of National Conference (NC) and MLA Mohammad Shafi Uri, the road continues to provide an arduous passage to the locals.
When contacted Executive Engineer (EE) R&B Uri, Syed Zahoor said they are working on the project. “The macdamization tenders for three and a half kilometre Lagama-Garkote road has been sanctioned,” he said. “Men will be at work shortly.”
