Road around under-construction flyovers on Srinagar-Baramulla highway lies in shambles

Baramulla, Sep 07: As the construction of two major flyovers on Srinagar-Baramulla highway at Delina Baramulla and Sangrama Sopore continues at full pace, the road conditions surrounding the construction sites have deteriorated immensely, leaving thousands of commuters and drivers in distress.

Both the flyovers being constructed at Sangrama and Sopore are part of the 4-lane Srinagar-Baramulla project, a major project which will enhance the connectivity across north Kashmir. The highway connects multiple districts, however, the same highway is now riddled with massive potholes, causing not only traffic delays but also vehicle damage.

“Thousands of vehicles, including private cars, public transport and commercial trucks use this highway on a daily basis. However, the pathetic road condition on either side of both the under construction flyovers has caused severe concern among the people here,” said Fayaz Ahmad, a local resident.

According to locals, the ongoing construction work for the flyovers has taken a toll on the condition of the road, particularly at the construction sites. Huge potholes have formed, making it a daily struggle for vehicles to pass smoothly.

“Every time I travel on this road, I have to spend extra money on repairing my car,” said Manzoor Ahmad, a commuter who regularly drives on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway. “The potholes are so big that it’s impossible to avoid them. The construction work has been going on for months, but nothing is being done to fix the road.”

The aggrieved residents said that poor road conditions at the construction sites have become a major cause of concern for both commuters and drivers. Vehicles are frequently sustaining damage due to the massive potholes, forcing drivers to slow down and navigate carefully.

Drivers of commercial vehicles, who rely on this route for their livelihood, are equally frustrated. “This road is our main route for transporting goods, but it has become dangerous and costly to drive on,” said a truck driver from Baramulla. “The potholes not only damage our vehicles but also delay deliveries. We are losing both time and money.”

The local residents have voiced their concerns and are demanding immediate action from the administration. Many believe that the executive agency responsible for constructing the flyovers should also be held accountable for maintaining the road during the construction phase.

Shabir Ahmad, a local resident from Delina Baramulla said that, “the condition of the road should not have been allowed to deteriorate to such an extent.” “It is mandatory for the executive agency to ensure that the road at the construction site is macadamised and repaired so that common people don’t face hardships,” added Shabir.

While urging the authorities to intervene in the matter, the concerned residents said, while the construction of the flyovers is necessary for improving infrastructure, the basic needs of the commuters should not be ignored in the process.

They said that temporary road repairs, such as filling in potholes and ensuring smoother traffic flow, should be prioritised until the construction work is completed.