Commuters resent slow pace of road construction on Khayam-Nowpora route

Srinagar, Mar 29: Commuters have expressed strong resentment against slow pace of work on the Khayam-Nowpora route saying it is taking heavy toll on their movement.

They said the vital road from Khanyar to Nowpora was dug up several months ago hitting the traffic flow especially ambulances. The road leads to several hospital including SKIMS Soura and JLNM Hospital at Rainawari. Aggrieved commuters said given immense importance of the road, authorities should proceed with swift construction and ensure round-the-clock work on the project.

“It is a norm to get stuck in a traffic jam in this area due to road construction. Hours are wasted every day as office goers and students commute through the area,” Abdul Hamid, a commuter, said.

The locals said that over the past few weeks, there have been increased fire incidents in Downtown, including Nowpora. They said that sloppy road construction hinders the movement of fire and emergency vehicles.

“We are all for the development, but given the importance of the road stretch, we hope that authorities will ensure that it is completed without any delay,” a local said.

The commuters said that the road has been dug up from Khayam intersection to Nowpora, which has narrowed the passages for vehicles. They said private buses, smart e-buses, and other private vehicles find it hard to pass through the stretch. They said that these vehicles are stuck in traffic jams for long periods, making their commute miserable.

Dr Showket Shah, Medical Superintendent at Khyber Hospital, took to social media to express how the road blockade is affecting patient care and urgency for expediting works.

“As we are receiving critically sick and especially cardiac emergency patients on and off during day and night time in our Khyber Hospital Srinagar where every second counts to save the precious lives !!! Due to Road repairs near the hospital, it becomes very difficult for these kind of patients to reach on time to our hospital for treatment !!So We request concerned departments kindly take swift action for repairing of the road which will be highly appreciated!!” Shah said.

Chief Engineer Srinagar Smart City, Qayoom Kirmani, said that they are ensuring completion of the work on priority basis. “The road stretch will be completed within the given time frame. We are working on the project overnight so that it will be completed in the shortest possible time. We have to take care of the traffic flow during the day as well, so at times, that hinders work. Otherwise, we are working overtime to finish the work as soon as possible,” Kirmani said.