The residents of the Sherabad Khore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Tuesday staged a protest against the authorities for “failing” to macadamize the Hanjiveera-Magam road. They accused the administration of “stepmotherly” treatment, saying that authorities in view of the G20 Summit are macadamizing the roads which are already up to the mark but ignoring their area.
Scores of people holding placards ‘Why Stepmother Treatment With This Area” and other slogans, blocked the Hanjiveera-Magam road at Khore and demanded immediate repair of this “vital road” which connects Baramulla with Budgam district.
Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the protesters said the road is in a dilapidated condition and is giving a tough experience to the people.
“Despite multiple requests to the authorities to macadamize the vital road, nothing is being done. Our pleas are not heard,” said Waheed Ahmad Khan, a local.
“We are facing immense problems due to this road which is in shambles. The administration has ignored the importance of this road,” he said, adding that the road has become a nuisance for the residents as well as transporters, especially during rains.
The road acts as an important link that connects Baramulla and Budgam district and thousands of commuters, transporters pass through this. “There are big potholes filled with water dots, making the movement of people very difficult,” said Shafqat Mohi-u-Din, another resident.
“Instead of redressing the major problems of common people, the authorities in view of the G20 Summit are macadamizing roads which are already up to the mark just to please the visitors. They forget their own people,” Shafqat said.
The locals have urged the Lieutenant Governor-led administration to look into the matter.
Meanwhile, SE, PMGSY, Mohammad Ayub told KNO that they have taken notice of the deteriorating condition of the road and it will be repaired after improvement in weather conditions—(KNO)