Dilapidated roads in Pulwama, Shopian cause hardships for commuters
Srinagar : Commuters and residents in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama and Shopian districts are facing severe inconvenience due to deteriorated roads, with potholes and water-logging making daily travel difficult and raising road safety concerns.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in Pulwama, residents said key stretches including the Payar-Pulwama Road, Circular Road, and the Pulwama-Srinagar road via Kakapora are in poor condition. They added that stretches from Pinglena to Pampore and from Kakapora to NH-44 near Kandizal have developed multiple potholes.
“Rainwater accumulates in the potholes, making them hard to spot and increasing the risk of accidents,” said commuter Arjumand Hussain.
“Potholes cause back pain. Two-wheeler riders are particularly vulnerable as they have to constantly manoeuvre to avoid accidents.”
Residents said the damaged roads have increased travel time between villages and towns, affecting people going for work, education and healthcare.
In Shopian, residents of Thoker Mohalla in Karewa Shadab complained about the poor condition of their hilly road. “The road is in a hilly area and residents face tremendous hardships, particularly women,” said a local woman. She said pregnant women and elderly people face the greatest difficulty, especially when seeking medical care.
The road becomes worse during rainfall when potholes fill with water and the surface turns slippery. Residents of both districts urged the authorities to undertake durable repairs at the earliest instead of temporary patchwork. They demanded inspection of the affected stretches and priority repairs on roads connecting villages with hospitals, markets and major highways ahead of winter.
