Encroachment of approach road to Baramulla railway station raises concerns

Baramulla, Dec 8: The residents of Baramulla have urged the district administration to address the persistent issue of encroachments on the approach road to the Baramulla Railway Station, which connects to the main highway.

According to locals, the approach road is often congested with Food Corporation of India (FCI) trucks carrying rice to the FCI godown in Kanispora. The concerned residents said it has become a source of frustration and a potential safety hazard for daily commuters.

While expressing their concern, the aggrieved residents said that the frequent blockage by trucks transforms the road into a “blind curve” posing risks of accidents.

“The road has become unsafe for commuters. It feels like an accident waiting to happen,” said Imran Hussain, a local resident.

Adding to the concerns, Farooq Ahmad, a daily commuter, questioned the logic of allowing trucks to use the road for halting. “We don’t understand why authorities are permitting this. The trucks can be easily parked inside the FCI premises, but instead, they block the road, creating unnecessary chaos. It is totally unjustified,” he said.

The locals here said that the FCI godown has ample space within its premises that could accommodate the halting trucks. They allege that despite this, truckers continue to park outside the railway station , causing inconvenience to commuters and creating a bottleneck on the approach road.

Bilal Ahmad, a resident of Kanispora, expressing surprise over the lack of enforcement by authorities said, “We have repeatedly brought this issue to the notice of officials, but no action has been taken. Are they waiting for a major accident to occur before they act?"

Commuters and residents alike hope that swift action will be taken to clear the road and prevent any mishap. “The safety of the public should be the top priority. We urge the authorities to act before it’s too late,” said Tanveer Ahmed, a student who regularly uses the road.