BANDIPORA DIARY

Polytechnic students outraged as trespassers, HMVs disturb studies

The students of the Government Polytechnic in north Kashmir's Bandipora district are outraged with the trespassers who use the college ground as a shortcut to collect sand and gravel from nearby areas.

The students told Greater Kashmir that trucks, tractors, and other Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) pass through the college ground all day, disturbing their studies and violating their privacy.

They said that the dust from the vehicles affects their health, causing eye and nose irritation and chest congestion.
The students and staff demanded that the administration take immediate action against the trespassers and stop them from using the college ground for personal or commercial purposes.

Sumbal residents, traders demand streetlights, functional fountains

The residents and traders of Sumbal town in north Kashmir's Bandipora district are unhappy with the lack of streetlights in the market chowk area and adjoining streets.

They said that the absence of streetlights poses a security risk and a hindrance to their business activities.
They also questioned the Municipal Committee Sumbal for failing to make the fountains, which were constructed with taxpayers’ money, operational for years.

"It is very problematic not to have streetlights in Sumbal, especially in the chowk," said Nazir Ahmad, the President of the Traders Association and the head of the Sonawari Citizen’s Council.

He said that the municipal committee had a prime responsibility to develop the town and make it beautiful and smart.
He urged the committee officials to install streetlights at vital places and repair the fountains for the convenience and welfare of the people.

Lack of drainage facility near ITI Road irks residents

The residents of Ward No 15 near ITI Road in Bandipora’s main town are annoyed with the lack of drainage facility in their area.
They said that they approached the authorities over the issue many times but to no avail.
They said that they had to suffer during rains and had no way to channel the sewage water, causing them a lot of inconvenience.

“There is a 100-metre stretch that needs to be connected with the main drain system,” said Umar Ahmad, a resident.
The residents appealed to the concerned department and the administration to look into their genuine demand and construct the drain in the area.