Officials acknowledge road requires complete reconstruction, await approvals
Pulwama: The vital Galander–Pulwama link road in south Kashmir has fallen into severe disrepair, with locals alleging prolonged official apathy and political neglect.
The proposed widening and reconstruction of the road has been awaiting serious administrative attention for years, leaving commuters to suffer on a daily basis.
Connecting several districts of south Kashmir, the road holds strategic importance as it further links to the Mughal Road and ultimately connects to Srinagar. Hundreds of vehicles, including passenger and goods carriers, ply on this route every day, making it a key artery for transportation and trade.
However, the road’s current condition paints a grim picture. Large potholes, uneven surfaces, and damaged stretches have made commuting extremely difficult. Pedestrians find it risky to walk, while motorists struggle to navigate through the battered road, often resulting in frequent vehicle damage and financial losses.
Locals, speaking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), expressed strong resentment over what they termed as “continued neglect” by both the district administration and the government.
They said that despite repeated appeals, no concrete steps have been taken to address the issue. “This road has been ignored at the political level for years. Despite its importance, no serious effort has been made to repair or upgrade it,” said a group of residents, adding that the condition worsens with each passing year.
Another resident, Mushtaq Ahmad, said that even government officials regularly travel on this road but fail to take notice of its poor state. “It is unfortunate that despite officials using this road daily, its condition continues to deteriorate. People of Pulwama are suffering because of this indifference,” he said.
Residents alleged that public representatives, including the MLAs from Pulwama and Pampore constituencies, have not taken adequate steps to push for the road’s repair and upgradation.
“We had high hopes from the present government, but nothing has materialised so far. The proposals seem to be stuck in files,” said another local, expressing concern over the delay in approvals for reconstruction projects.
Officials, however, maintained that the matter is under consideration.
An official of the R&B Division, Pulwama, acknowledged the poor condition of the road and said that it was repaired many years ago and now requires complete reconstruction.
“The road has outlived its lifespan and needs a full-scale upgrade. Proposals have already been submitted, and work will begin once approvals are granted,” he said.
He added that heavy vehicular movement, particularly dumpers, has contributed significantly to the road’s deterioration. “Although temporary repairs are carried out from time to time, the continuous movement of heavy vehicles damages the road again, making it difficult to maintain,” the official said—(KNO)
