Open manholes on Dulbagh Road pose threat to pedestrians

Srinagar, Mar 20: Open manholes and incomplete construction work along Dulbagh road in Soura area have become a serious hazard for pedestrians, prompting residents to demand immediate intervention from authorities.

According to locals, several pedestrians have fallen into these uncovered manholes, with a recent incident occurring just this morning.

"This morning an elderly woman fell into one of these open manholes. She was fortunate that some shopkeepers were nearby to help her out," said Latief Ahmad, a local resident. "These manholes have been left open for weeks now, and nobody seems to care about the danger they pose."

Residents claim that officials from the concerned department have abandoned the work midway, leaving dangerous pits and open manholes unattended along the busy stretch.

"The officials have left it incomplete without any warning signs or barricades. It's particularly dangerous during evenings when visibility is poor," added another resident.

The concerned citizens have appealed to Hazratbal MLA Salman Ali Sagar and the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Commissioner to take immediate notice of the situation.

"We urge our MLA Salman Ali Sagar and the SMC Commissioner to visit our area and see the dangerous condition of this road. This is a heavily used route, and it's only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured," said a group of locals who had gathered at the site.

Despite multiple complaints to the authorities, residents claim no action has been taken so far to address the issue, leaving pedestrians, especially children and the elderly, vulnerable to accidents.