Newly blacktopped road in Bandipora crumbles within weeks

Bandipora, Dec 15: The Gamroo–Papchan link road in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, blacktopped barely a month ago after years of neglect, has already developed potholes and loose gravel, sparking anger and concern among residents and commuters.

Locals said they had expected lasting relief after the long-awaited blacktopping of the road, which serves as a vital link for several villages. However, within days of the work’s completion, the road surface began to deteriorate, with gravel coming loose and potholes appearing at multiple spots.

Residents accused the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department of allowing substandard work to pass inspection and demanded that responsibility be fixed on both the contractor and the officials entrusted with monitoring the project.

The road connects several villages, including Konan, Sumlar, Gudkaiser and Chak Papchan, and is used daily by a large number of commuters, students and patients, making its early deterioration a serious concern.

Javid Nabi, a regular commuter, expressed anger over the condition of the road. “Despite dry weather conditions, potholes have developed, and the gravel is washing away. This clearly indicates the use of substandard material and a lack of proper scrutiny by the executing agency and the concerned officials,” he said.

Meanwhile, Executive Engineer R&B Bandipora, Tariq Ahmad, acknowledged the deterioration of the road and said his office had received multiple complaints in this regard. However, he did not confirm whether substandard material had been used in the blacktopping.

The officer said the road was blacktopped towards the end of the working season and would be taken up under maintenance works wherever damage had occurred. He added that payment to the contractor has been withheld and assured that appropriate action would be taken to address the issue.