Kulgam, August 17: The road diversion at Adjan, which connects Pombay to Noorabad DH Pora kulgam, is in a dilapidated condition for which the locals are holding R&B department responsible.
According to the locals, the diversion which was constructed four years ago has been repaired several times in the past as the same is being washed away by the flood waters.
They said that the concerned authorities are to be blamed for its dilapidated condition who despite of knowing the importance of the road have failed to construct a better diversion which could stay in place for as long as the new bridge will get its final touch.
One of the local residents, Mohammad Yousuf Padder said, “Even cab drivers do not find it safe to navigate through this diversion which makes the people to suffer as the same is the only alternative for the traffic in absence of the bridge, which is undergoing construction.”
“Whenever the water level increases to a few inches, it flows above the diversion road which makes it unsafe for driving and the pedestrians also find it difficult to cross the road,” he added.
Another local resident, Mohd Abbas, said that when the diversion cuts-off they are compelled to travel extra 13 kms from Nihama to Gopalpora Kulgam which takes them 2-3 hours.
“Narrow pipes installed near the diversion site block the water as it flows over it and washes away the raw material. The authorities are only issuing tenders which are being passed over to different contractors but the same never gets utilized,” he added.
When contacted Executive Engineer R&B Division Kulgam, he said, “The construction of bridge is already in progress and as for as the diversion is concerned it is just meant for alternate means of transport.”
He further said that there are not enough funds to build the diversion road as the same will cost more than a bridge, however he assured that whenever the diversion will get damaged they will repair it within the shortest possible time as they are doing it from past few years.
