Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 15: The 65-kilometer stretch of road from Chenad to Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is causing severe inconvenience to commuters due to its deteriorated condition at several points.
Residents blame the ongoing Uri-Baramulla road widening project for the deteriorated condition, which they say has rendered several sections nearly unmotorable. Locals from areas including Chenad, Delina, Kalanpora, Lagama, Bendi, Rezerwani, Chalan, Uranboha Uri, and Eco Park Sherri have raised alarm over the slow pace of work and the lack of temporary repairs. “Commuting through these areas is a nightmare. We understand the project is ongoing, but the authorities should at least ensure basic patchwork for daily commuters,” a commuter said.
The road is part of a larger Rs 3406 crore highway expansion project aimed at four-laning nearly 94 kilometers of road, including two bypasses near Pattan and Baramulla and two flyovers at Sangrama and Delina.
However, residents complain that the several roads that stretch, including between Baramulla and Khanpora, are in bad shape with frequent traffic jams caused by ongoing earth-cutting work. “Vehicles often get stuck due to the narrowed road. The extensive felling of conifer trees is also alarming,” a resident said.
The commuters also said that there is also confusion over the scale of expansion. “Initially, we were told it is a four-lane road, but now it seems only certain portions are being widened. If it is just a two-lane road from Delina to Baramulla, why is so much forest land being destroyed?” asked a commuter. He further alleged that thousands of conifers have been felled between Delina and Baramulla without transparency. “There should be an investigation into where these trees are going,” he said.
The residents have appealed to the authorities to expedite the work and carry out temporary repairs to ease daily commuting.
Despite repeated attempts, official from the Border Roads Organization (BRO), could not be reached for comment.
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