Pulwama: Assurance to macadamize Waged-Lurgam road turns fake, say locals

BASHARAT RASHID

Pulwama, 19 September: Locals in Lurgam village of Aripal tehsil in Pulwama district have expressed resentment over the delay in macadamization on the main road of the village.

The aggrieved residents told Arising State that all the portions of Tral-Narastan road (20 kms) have been macadamized this year but, more than two kilometers from Lurgam to Waged were sidelined.

Standing in groups on the roadside were people bearing worried expressions that authorities had made fake assurances a week back that ‘macadamization will be done’ in days but, the assurances turned out to be fake.

They said that area is located in the centre and has been neglected by the concerned department after macadamizing upper and lower portions of the road.

“We were assured of macadamization a week back by the officials of R&B and Tral administration. They asked us to wait for some days to witness the blacktopping on the road. However, nothing was done, due to which locals continue to face inconveniences” Abdul Gani Wani, a local told Arising State.

He further said that it was the long pending demand of the people which has not been fulfilled completely by the government.

The road as per the locals has developed deep potholes now and is irking the drivers as well as pedestrians, on daily basis.

Sources said construction work on the road was started a few years back and was earlier delayed due to some circumstances.

They said that in 2020, major portions of the road have been blacktopped, however, the center portion from Waged to Lurgam were sidelined by the R&B, despite back to back assurances, given to the people.

The residents demanded that authorities should fulfill their promise and ensure macadamization on the remaining portion of the road.

An official wishing anonymity has said that work has been suspended in view of a lack of funds.

Meanwhile, ADC Tral, Shabir Ahmad Raina, while talking to Arising State has assured that macadamization in Lurgam village will be done by or before Thursday.

He said that machinery and men were busy somewhere else in road work and must be coming back after Monday.

“I am very thankful to the people of Lurgam village for showing full cooperation. We are trying our best to sort out the things as soon as possible,” Raina said.