Uncovered, damaged manholes pose threat to commuters in Srinagar

Srinagar, Aug 12: Uncovered and damaged manholes in various areas of the summer capital pose risk of accidents to commuters.

Residents of Downtown, Uptown and Hazratbal areas minced no words to blame authorities for failing to cover and repair manholes.

Locals of Nowhatta, Barbar Shah, and adjoining areas said that despite major development works completed in the areas, manholes have been left uncovered.

“At some places, despite recent renovation, there are open and broken manholes. These are a major threat to commuters. At night, several commuters have narrow escape due open manholes. Downtown is dotted with dilapidated and open manholes. These are like death traps,” said Abrar Ahmad, a pedestrian pointing toward uncovered manholes at Khanyar.

The locals said recently, during downpour, most of the roads in the Downtown area got waterlogged, and many vehicles got stuck into manholes. “There is also issue of uneven manholes in the area. These have become a major hindrance to vehicular and pedestrian movement,” said a commuter.

The locals in Hazratbal area said that in areas like Nigeen, the issue of open manholes has been pestering them for a long time now. They said that on the footpaths, there are uncovered manholes, which can lead to major accidents.

“There are children walking on road and uncovered manholes can lead to major accidents. During night time, the issue gets worse as sometimes there is no electricity, and the walkways and roads are dark. As authorities are investing huge sum of money in building roads and footpaths, they should give due attention to the safety issues,” said Manzoor Ahmad a local from Hazratbal.