Defunct drainage, dilapidated link road at Hawal irk residents

Srinagar, Dec 24: Residents of Hawal area in Downtown have expressed resentment against defunct drainage and dilapidated road in the area.

The residents said that despite the passage of a long time, the link road connecting Makhdoom Sahib (RA) locality with main road Hawal near Islamia College is in shambles. They said that the big potholes have made it difficult for them to walk or drive on the road.

The residents complained that authorities are not paying heed to the serious issue. “Besides potholes, the road has turned into a cesspool due to a defunct drainage system. The link road is important for commuters and pedestrians including students and devotees, still its repairs have been neglected,” said Anwar Ali, a local.

The locals said that the dilapidated road has become a reason for many accidents, especially for those commuting on two-wheelers.

Feroz Ahmad, a local, said that the problem has been compounded by a defunct drainage system adjacent to the road. He said despite many pleas, the drainage has not been fixed.

“The road is next to our graveyard. Due to defunct drainage, water spills over on the road into our graveyard. We are facing immense problems when anyone passes away and we have to carry out burial.

Pedestrians cannot walk due defunct drainage as all our clothes get spoiled. We request authorities to start with fixing drainage and the road as soon as possible,” Ahmad said.

Residents said that hundreds of students and devotees commute through the road, and it creates issues for them too. They said during the dry season, this road turns dusty and affects their health too. An

official from Srinagar Municipal Corporation said that due to the weather issue, the development projects including road projects will be taken up by March-April next year.

“We have kept these roads around Hawal on the priority list and we will ensure that they will be taken up on a priority basis. Many such road and drainage works at Hawal and adjoining areas stand allotted but due to weather issues, we have to wait for some time,” said the official.