Commuters suffer as authorities delay repairs of Pantha Chowk- Sempora road
Srinagar, Jun 1: Despite the passing of a long time, authorities have failed to undertake repairs of the dilapidated Pantha Chowk-Sempora stretch, causing immense inconvenience to commuters.
The commuters said that for a long time, the dilapidated Pantha Chowk-Sempora road stretch has been left unattended, posing a risk of accidents.
The commuters said that the bad condition of the road is also affecting the inter-district commute. They said that big potholes on the road also pose a risk to commuters.
“It has been a long time since we have been appealing authorities to fix the road. We fail to understand why the project is not taken up despite the road being a busy link to various Srinagar areas and other districts,” Faisal Ahmad, a commuter, said.
The commuters said that the caved-in and dilapidated road has made it risky for commuters, especially two-wheelers. They said daily, young students and office goers have narrow escapes due to the potholes while commuting to their destinations.
“Most of the time, commuters have narrow escapes due to the issue. It is risky to commute on a road that is in bad shape. During the downpour, these potholes turn into cesspools, and it gets more difficult for commuters as well as pedestrians,” said Mudasir Ahmad, a local.
The commuters said that the issue with the road is also affecting the movement of traffic. They said that due to the dilapidated road, the stretch often faces traffic jams during peak hours. They said that the essential services like ambulances, are also facing issues while operating on the road.
“Several times, ambulances are stuck on the dilapidated road. Many ambulances carry critical care patients, and such bad roads are risky to such patients,” said another commuter
The commuters said that the issue is also damaging their vehicles. They said that due to this issue, they have to go for the repair of their vehicles more often.
An official said that tenders for the project will be floated within a day, and the work on the road stretch will start shortly after that.
“We will take up the project soon. The tendering process is completed, and the tender will be up in a day or two. The work will be completed in the shortest possible time," said the official.
