BY: Wasim Parvez
Baramulla: The residents of Kilwara village of Tangmarg are up in arms against the PMGSY officials and contractor for not complying with the norms while laying a road through the village.
A road widening work is going on under PMGSY through the existing road of Hariwatnoo Kilwara that connects dozens of villages of Tangmarg and Kunzar Tehsils but throwing all norms to winds contractor is not following the guidelines as per the PMGSY, allege locals.
They further alleged that no retaining walls and drains are being constructed despite the fact that the road runs through agriculture and horticulture land.
“Lack of retaining walls and drainage will result into water logging and subsequent soil erosion risking the agriculture as well as horticulture lands,” said locals.
They said that despite umpteenth representations by the locals, no compensation has yet been sanctioned in favour of the land owners whose land is being used for laying the road.
“Laying of road is a welcome step but unfortunately the executive agency is not working as per the approved norms. Sub standard material is being used and no concerned officer has visited spot for quality check,” said a local Ashiq Ahmad.
When contacted, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), PMGSY Baramulla, Irfan Ahmad said, “No sub-standard material is used but if such thing is there, I will be visiting the site tomorrow or day after and if allegations found correct, the work done will be dismantled and reconstructed.”
When asked about the retaining walls and drainage, he said, “The resources are limited. however I will visit the site and see wherever there is any requirement that will be taken care of.”
