Baramulla’s vital projects await action amidst development drive

Baramulla, Jan 7: Although north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is aggressively moving on the path of development, be it work on the much-awaited four-lane Srinagar-Baramulla highway and the Baramulla-Uri double-lane road or improvement in the health sector, some major developmental projects are still in abeyance.

Among several such crucial projects include the construction of a new mini secretariat building, a comprehensive water supply scheme for the town, a waste disposal plant, and car parking space which have been in abeyance for over two decades.

The delay in addressing these concerns has led to growing frustration among the locals.

The existing mini secretariat housing more than five administrative departments, which include the Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, Youth Services and Sports, Fund Office and a few other departments, is in a shabby condition.

The existing mini secretariat is short of space and has become a nuisance for the people of the area as the lack of space forces the people visiting the mini secretariat to park their vehicles illegally on the Kanlibagh-Sangri road, chocking the thoroughfare and causing severe inconvenience to the people.

Besides, the building lacks in space as narrow corridors inside the secretariat building make it tough for the visitors to approach the concerned officials.

“Some departments here have no space to keep their record files and find it very hard to secure their record,” said an employee.

One of the pressing issues faced by the town residents is the absence of a comprehensive water supply scheme.

Promises from successive regimes to provide water from a glacier at Botapathri remain unfulfilled, leaving residents reliant on the River Jhelum.

The waste disposal problem exacerbates environmental concerns, with the town producing tons of waste daily.

The lack of a scientific approach to waste management results in garbage scattered along the banks of the River Jhelum, contributing to pollution.

Parking is another significant challenge with the town lacking designated parking slots.

Although potential locations were identified in the past, no progress has been made regarding establishing proper parking facilities.

Locals expressed frustration over the prolonged neglect of these issues.

Muhammad Ashraf, a town resident, while highlighting the urgency of redressal of these issues said, “Despite repeated pleas to the J&K administration, these issues are pending for decades as there has been no redressal system,” he said.

A delegation from the Traders Federation Baramulla met Chief Secretary Atul Duloo on Wednesday.

The delegation led by President Tariq Ahmad Mughloo presented a memorandum highlighting the urgency of addressing these critical issues.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Mughloo said, “Considering their importance, a delegation of the traders federation met the chief secretary and discussed the need for redressal of these issues.”

He said that the Chief Secretary assured them that these matters would be addressed on a priority basis to give Baramulla town the much-needed facelift.