Touseef Wani
Ganderbal, May 20: Residents of Wakura village in Ganderbal district have expressed strong resentment over the deteriorating condition of local roads, accusing the authorities of neglect and failing to address the long-pending issue.
Locals said the road connecting Wakura with other parts of Ganderbal is in a severely damaged condition, riddled with potholes, causing major inconvenience to commuters and pedestrians.
They alleged that despite repeated appeals and representations, the concerned authorities have failed to undertake necessary repairs, leaving residents to cope with daily hardships.
“The roads in our area are badly damaged and uneven, making travel difficult for everyone. The authorities have completely ignored the area,” several residents said, expressing anger over official apathy.
Residents further stated that several stretches of the road were dug up for development works but later left unattended, worsening the situation.
Accumulated garbage and stagnant water along the road have further added to the difficulties faced by commuters and locals.
“The road has been dug up at many places and left incomplete. Garbage and stagnant water are creating serious inconvenience for the public,” said Basit Bashir, a local resident.
Locals added that conditions worsen during rainfall, as water accumulates on damaged stretches, turning the road into a hazard and making movement difficult.
“When rainwater remains stagnant for a long time, it further damages the road and creates problems for commuters,” said another resident, Ehsaan Yousuf.
Residents said several vehicles have been damaged due to the pothole-ridden surface, while the risk of accidents has also increased significantly.
They added that the road serves as an important link and is frequently used by public transport vehicles and school buses.
“The condition of the road poses a serious threat to commuters, especially schoolchildren travelling daily on this route,” Ehsaan added.
Locals also blamed the absence of a proper drainage system for the worsening condition of the road, saying rainwater and wastewater continue to accumulate, leading to severe waterlogging and further deterioration.
The residents have appealed to the district administration and concerned departments to immediately undertake repair and macadamisation of the road, along with the construction of proper drainage facilities to ease public hardship.
