Budgam: Authorities have halted the work on Khag-Aripathan road in Budgam district due to “lack” of funds and alleged apathy by the construction company.
The construction of the road was started in 2016 under a centrally sponsored scheme with an estimated cost of Rs 13 crore. but its macdamisation for the last one year.
Executive Engineer Muffasil R&B division Budgam recently wrote a letter to SE R&B Budgam says that work was allotted to JK Construction Company and blamed it for delaying the construction work.
“The Khag to Aripathan road is in a bad condition and is taking a heavy toll on the health of travelers. As per the project report, the road was to be widened 40 feet but at some places, it is only 15 feet as the government has failed to provide proper compensation to the people whose land comes under this road,” locals told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
A local of Khag, Mushtaq Malik, said, “It takes us hours to travel on this 10-km bumpy road. The road turns muddy during rains. It has been abandoned by the authorities.”
Chief Engineer Roads and Buildings Department Kashmir Showkat Jeelani said development of Khag-Aripathan road comes under Central Roads Funds (CRF). “The work has been halted because funds have not been released. Once funds are released, work will be resumed,” Jeelani told KINS.
