Srinagar, July 14: Started in 2007, the construction work of Inter district economy booster Bandipora Lolab road is yet to be completed, since last thirteen years posing a question on the culpability of higher authority.
The plan was conceived and approved in 2007 for the betterment of Inhabitants of both the districts as it could enhance and exceed the trade and economy of the duo districts and would certainly have minimised the traveling distance from Kupwara to Srinagar which is about 150 kilometres.
The work of the inter district road, estimated to be constructed at an unmarked amount of Rs 1.48 crore was approved 12 years before under PMGSY.
In 2011, the work came to a halt when it was suspended after an objection from the forest department citing the constructional work threat to green gold as it was heeding through a dense forest. In order to avoid any danger to the forest Roads and Building (R&B) department came forward with an alternative of a double lane tunnel connecting Chechinar Bandipora to Andarbugh Lolab, the Project Report of which is yet to be approved from past four years submitted back in 2016.
“The Administration showed us the vision of Inter district road, a fantasy of enhanced economy, trade and better life but all in vain. It has been 13 years now and we still are there where we used to. The construction work is going on at a snail’s pace all because of the Administration, had they been a bit more attentive the road would have been completed so far,” a resident of Bandipora told news agency Kashmir News Bureau.
Another resident of district Kupwara said, “Administration had earlier conceived a project of inter district road which would have not only enhanced the trade, but would also have minimised the huge 150km distance from Kupwara to Srinagar.”
He further said, “Many critical patients referred from Kupwara to Srinagar oftenly die in journey due to such long distance, if the project would have been completed many lives could be saved.”
Despite repeated calls made by Kashmir News Bureau to Deputy Commisioner Bandipora Owais Ahmad did’nt respond for his comments.
