Waseem Ahmad
Srinagar, July 13: Failure of authorities in completing the drainage project has left the approach road towards the Iqbalabad in Bemina area here in deplorable condition, causing inconvenience in commuting.
As per locals, the main drainage line being laid on the one kilometer road was sanctioned almost a year ago and is funded by Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) but the road is in shambles, causing immense hardships to them.
The locals of the area said the work on the drainage project was started almost a year ago but it is yet to be completed. “It has been almost a year when the work on the drainage system was started but lackadaisical approach of the concerned department has delayed the project. We have to face hardships as the road leading to our area has been dug up and there is no space left for the people to even walk properly. During rains, the whole stretch turns into mud and we face problems to even venture out of our homes,” Sajad Ahmad, a local resident said, adding: “Apart from the main drainage line, the authorities are yet to start work on the sub-lines leading to the main line of the area”.
The locals lamented that the entire neighborhood are suffering due to the dilapidated condition of the road that leads to their area and held callous approach of the concerned department responsible for dilly dallying the project.
“The condition of the road is a nightmare for the people of the area. If any untoward incident happens, even ambulance or Fire department will not be able to reach the area. The sick people and the school children are the worst sufferers as no vehicle is able to ply on the road. The residents of the area who have their personal vehicles had kept them in relative’s houses in different areas,” Abdul Hameed, a resident said
Mehraj Khan, contractor of the project said that the project was approved with an estimated cost of Rs 2.25 crores which is funded by the ERA and due to the bad weather conditions and problems faced by the machines in digging of the road, the project got delayed. “Due to bad weather conditions this year, the machines were not able to work properly. Besides, the land was also not feasible as the machines were not able to dig the land properly. Those were the reasons behind delaying of the project,” he said
Mehraj also said that the overall funds for the project are yet to be released. “Out of Rs 2.25 crores, about Rs 1.50 crores have been released and rest of the amount is pending. Still we continued our work keeping in view the problems faced by the people. Almost 90% of the work is complete and rest of the work would be soon completed,” he said, adding: “The work on the sub-lines is yet to be approved.”
However, when contacted PRO, ERA, Mohammad Azhar Ishaq, said no such project is funded by the department.
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