Batamaloo residents decry inordinate delay in completion of community hall

Srinagar, May 23: The residents of Shah Faisalabad area of Batamaloo Srinagar have expressed resentment against delay in the construction of the community hall in the area.

They said the delay is taking a toll on them amid the wedding season.

A delegation of the Welfare Committee of Shah Faisalabad Batamaloo said that despite the initial deadline of the project ending, the work has yet to be completed. They said that the community hall was supposed to be finished over a year ago, but the work is still lingering.

Molvi Habibullah Bhat, President of the welfare committee, said that they have been following the issue for over a decade. He said that finally, SMC took up the project.

"Although the majority of work has been completed but the community hall is yet to be handed over for public use due to non-completion of final touches in the work. The whole locality of Batamaloo and its adjoining areas is congested and is in need of a community hall. We appeal to authorities to expedite the work so that locals can use it," Bhat said.

The welfare community members said that amid the start of wedding season, many families reached out to book the community hall, but due to a delay in work, they had to face disappointment.

"The locals in the vicinity have to go to another area to book community halls for their function. We hope that the community hall will be open to public use without further delay," said another local.

“There seems to be large-scale difference between DRP and original construction. We demand technical audit to ascertain whether the community hall has been constructed as per the DPR,” the locals said.

Joint Commissioner SMC Rajinder Kumar Gupta, said that he will look into the matter and address it accordingly.

"I will follow up this with the concerned officers so that the issue is resolved without any delay," Gupta said.