Residents remain on the edge after road collapse in north Kashmir’s Hajin

Bandipora, Feb 26: The Hajin-Bandipora road in Sheikh Mohalla of Hajin, in the north Kashmir district, collapsed on Wednesday a day after developing huge cracks, causing panic among residents.

The residents have been living on the edge ever since a portion of the embankment caved in some years ago, following which cracks began to appear.

Before Wednesday’s incident, the road first developed cracks at the beginning of February, prompting authorities to divert traffic to avoid any tragedy.

On Tuesday, the residents said the road was on "verge of collapse" and sought immediate government intervention, as was promised to them.

“Nobody is heeding our pleas,” said Abdul Aziz, a local resident.

The resident said twenty days ago, officials from administration, including the Deputy Commissioner, and the local MLA, promised that work would start in a day or two, but nothing had happened.

The fears turned into reality when the portion of the road collapsed on Wednesday morning following incessant rains since Tuesday.

"The cracks in the road on Tuesday gave us a sleepless night," said another resident.

"The water supply pipeline and electricity infrastructure has been damaged due to the collapse," another Hajin resident said.

The residents said, "We are living in constant fear that our houses and shops too will collapse soon if the government doesn't get serious."

The locals have demanded immediate intervention from the authorities. Locals said on Tuesday that besides houses there are shops along the roadside as well and “We have our homes, families, and children here, but it seems nobody feels our pain or understands how worried we are.”