Old city residents threaten protest over poor roads

Our Correspondent

Srinagar, January 18

Residents of the old city of Srinagar threatened to start an agitation over the dilapidated condition of roads and drains. The residents have appealed Governor NN Vohra to take stock of the situation.

They have appealed the authorities concerned to macadamise main as well as other link roads that were in a dilapidated condition for the past several years.

“The condition of most of the internal roads as well as lanes all over the old city is pathetic. It makes travelling difficult and often leads to long traffic jams as the vehicles get stuck on the bumpy roads,” said Abdul Majid, a resident of Maharaj Gunj in Srinagar.

The residents said the bad condition of roads had become a nuisance, especially during the rains and for plying ambulances.

They said if the state government does not take steps to repair roads, they would start an agitation.

“The state government has completely neglected Srinagar on the developmental front. The roads in villages of Kashmir are of better condition than the old city,” said Abdul Samad, a local resident.

The residents of Maharaj Gunj, Zaina Kadal, Nowhatta, Safa Kadal Jamia Market, Nowshara and Rainawari, said despite bringing the problem into the notice of the state government, nothing had been done, except false assurances.

“The traders are the worst sufferers as people do not prefer to come to the old city market due to bad roads. We are suffering losses in our business,” said Abdul Qayoom, a local trader.

He said the problem of faulty drainage system also persisted in the area, which had not been improved for last many years.

The officials however said they could not repair roads in harsh winters, but assured that the roads would be repaired soon. The residents have appealed Governor NN Vohra to look into the problem.