Decades on, Mirabad lacks basic amenities

Srinagar, Aug 16: The residents of Mirabad land 3 of Batamaloo have expressed resentment against the lack of basic amenities.

They said despite passing of three decades, the development of the area has been neglected.

“The road in our locality is dilapidated. It is not a matter of a few years but decades. Despite living close to city centre, authorities have neglected our area. We reached out to authorities several times, but only got assurances that road repairs project is in plan but despite passing of over three decades. We are suffering due to lack of basic amenities,” Riyaz Ahmad, a resident, said.

The residents said that the adjacent areas were macadamised, but their road has been neglected. They said commuters are having a tough time navigating the road.

“During downpours, the road is waterlogged, and it gets really difficult to move around,” said another local.

The residents said they face problems due to defunct drainage, poor drinking water supply and lack of street lights.

“Few meters of drainage network has not been completed for long now. The households at tail end are suffering due to a lack of drainage. We have written to the grievance cell several times but no action was taken on the ground,” the aggrieved locals said.

“After sunset, lack of street lights and bad roads makes it dangerous for pedestrians to walk. Residents, especially elderly people, face inconvenience when walking on road. Many residents were injured, too due to potholes on this road. We hope the authorities will wake up to this issue and address it accordingly,” they said.

Joint Commissioner SMC Rajinder Kumar Gupta said that he would take up the issue with the concerned officers.

“I have noted the issue and I will follow this up with the concerned team of officers and address it accordingly,” Gupta said.