Roads carry more than people?

Roads in Kashmir are not just roads. They are corridors of electricity transmission, a waste dumping site, a parking lot, a market, a water pipeline, sewerage, communication lines, and a construction yard—all at once. They serve everyone yet belong to no one. And while the layers of blacktop get added, roads rise, and homes sink. Thus billions of rupees in damage to properties (domestic, commercial, and government). Who is responsible, thekedar, engineers, the government, or all? This is a fit case of public interest, and a PIL can be submitted to take the concerned to task for unscientific maintenance of roads in Kashmir. The very purpose of roads—smooth connectivity and public convenience—is sinking under neglect and mismanagement.

The Power Development Department (PDD) treats roads as an extension of its infrastructure. Transformers are placed dangerously close to footpaths, and high-voltage wires crisscross overhead. In many places, electric poles stand in the middle of the road itself, forcing vehicles to manoeuver around them. If roads truly belong to the PDD, why is their placement so hazardous?

Municipal authorities claim responsibility for cleanliness, yet roadsides are lined with overflowing garbage bins. In many areas, waste is dumped directly onto the streets, turning them into breeding grounds for pollution and disease. Footpaths, meant for pedestrians, are blocked by trash, pushing people onto the already congested roads. If roads belong to the municipality, why do they resemble garbage sites?

With a lack of proper bus stands and auto-rickshaw bays, roads in Kashmir have been informally converted into waiting areas for public transport. Two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers park haphazardly, choking traffic flow. Every road junction becomes a makeshift parking lot. If the transport department oversees these roads, why has this chaos been allowed to persist?

The Public Health Engineering (PHE) department treats roads as a trench system for water supply pipelines. Newly macadamized roads are frequently dug up for pipeline repairs or fresh installations, creating a never-ending cycle of destruction. The result? Kashmir’s roads are constantly under construction, yet never truly complete. If roads belong to the PHE, why are they always in ruins?

From flea markets to construction sites, Kashmir’s roads have been claimed by traders and builders alike. Vendors set up stalls right on the streets, blocking both vehicles and pedestrians. Meanwhile, construction materials—bricks, sand, and other building material —occupy road space for months. The irony is that while public roads are misused for private construction, government infrastructure projects remain delayed. If roads belong to businesses and builders, where do commuters go?

Tailpiece

In the end, the common citizen—the real stakeholder—has lost the most. For pedestrians, walking on a road without obstruction is a rare luxury. For drivers, navigating through encroachments, potholes, and sudden roadblocks is an everyday struggle. Every department claims its share of the road, yet when it comes to responsibility, no one steps forward.

The roads of Kashmir may seem like signs of progress, but in reality, they symbolize a governance failure. The need of the hour is accountability—strict regulations, coordinated urban planning, and enforcement of road discipline. Roads should serve their fundamental purpose: smooth, uninterrupted connectivity. Until then, they will remain everyone’s property, yet no one’s responsibility.

Dr. Ashraf Zainabi, Teacher and Researcher Based in Gowhar Pora Chadoora J&K and Advisor at The Nature, University Kashmir