Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 24: An incomplete drainage project initiated by the Municipal Committee Sopore on 8th March this year in New Colony Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district has drawn sharp criticism from local residents and shopkeepers who said that the open site has become a serious nuisance and safety threat.
Several shopkeepers allege that the work began without any prior notice or alternative arrangements. “They just came and dug up the road without informing us. It has been more than three months now, and the work has been completely abandoned. Our business has dropped because customers can not access the shops easily,” Bilal Ahmad, a local shopkeeper, said.
The open drain, filled with debris and stagnant water, has created not only a foul smell but also a risk of accidents. Locals say the lack of barricades or signs around the site poses a danger, especially at night. “This is not just about inconvenience. It is about safety. Our children and elderly have to walk past this mess daily,” another resident said.
When contacted, Showkat Ahmad, Executive Officer of the Municipal Committee Sopore, said the drain was opened to clear frequent blockages in the decades-old drainage system. “We understand the inconvenience caused. A new drainage project worth Rs 5 crore has been proposed to the Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED), which will permanently address the issue,” he said.
However, residents argue that the authorities should not have left the current work incomplete. “If they did not have a permanent solution ready, they should not have started in the first place,” another shopkeeper said.
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