Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 26: After developing cracks earlier, a portion of the main road along the Jhelum River in Sheikh Muhalla of Hajin in district Bandipora, caved in today, disrupting power and water supply.
The residents said they are distressed as the authorities seem unconcerned about the issue, which they believe is endangering lives.
“Last night at 10 pm, I saw a few men from the Department of Irrigation and Flood Control patrolling the area. However, they were here for about an hour, and then the locals gathered to keep an eye on the embankments themselves,” said Abdul Rahim, a local resident.
He alleged that the authorities are neglecting the safety of the locals and that the concerned department should have taken preventive measures well in advance.
“They have left us to die here. There is no road now as it has caved in, cutting off our connectivity with the district headquarters,” he said.
The locals accused the concerned authorities of waiting until the road collapsed before deciding to carry out repairs.
“Where were they all this time? What they plan to do now could have been done earlier,” they said, adding that the authorities are indifferent to the people’s plight.
Another resident, Imtiyaz Ahmad, blamed the Flood and Irrigation Department for the incident.
“If they had taken timely measures, we wouldn’t be facing this situation. The DPR for strengthening the embankments was approved, and they should have started the work much earlier. Their negligence has led us to this,” he said.
It is worth noting that the affected road is the only link between the area and the district headquarters, as well as other areas.
“It is a dangerous situation, especially with schools about to reopen. How will students reach their schools? The main power and water supply lines have also been affected,” he added
Meanwhile, officers from the district administration visited the site to assess the situation. As a safety measure, the road has been closed.
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