Sajid Raina
Bandipora: The road leading to the famous shrine located at Ahamsharief village and a tourist destination at Athwatoo village in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district is in a dilapidated condition, the residents complained here on Tuesday and said that the road has not been repaired for last six years.
Locals told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the road leading to a famous shrine of Hazrat Sultan-ul-Arifeen, Sheikh Hamzah Makhdoom Sahib (RA), located at Ahamsharief village and also to a tourist destination has developed potholes and thus is in shambles condition.
“The road has not been macadamized for the last six years. Nobody is paying attention to this road. The road is in dilapidated condition and it is difficult for vehicles to drive on it now,” the locals said.
Abdul Gafar, a devotee, who visits the Shrine three times a week, said that the condition of the road is worsening with each passing day as the authorities concerned have failed to macadamize the road since long.
“The government should macadamize this road at earliest as this road leads to Ziarat Sharif,” he said, adding that the locals have raised the issue with concerned authorities many times so far but nothing has been done in this regard.
The locals said that the road also leads to the famous tourist destination, but has been ignored since long. The commuters said the dilapidated road poses risk of accidents.
They appealed to Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora to look into the matter and ensure that the road is macadamized on priority basis.
Meanwhile, Assistant Executive Engineer (R&B) department Bandipora, Javid Ahmad said that the road will be macadamized this year. “There were lack of funds earlier and now, which halted the process. But, we will be starting the work on the road very soon,” he added—(KNO)
