The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari’s statement over the better road connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir in the next few years is praiseworthy and a welcome decision. The people always dream of better basic facilities to witness smooth and hassle-free movement while travelling to any place. However, opening and coming up with the new roads will never bring any respite to the people of Jammu & Kashmir as the majority of the roads in Srinagar and elsewhere witness frequent potholes, which continue to push the general public to the wall. Such is the situation that many of the interior roads have not even been repaired or macadamized from the past over five years, leaving the commuters to the wall. The new road connectivity may bring respite to the people, but the potholed roads, especially in the interiors always push the general public to the wall, which usually lead to the traffic congestion and traffic mess as well. The promise of better road connectivity must be ensured in every nook and corner of the Union Territory and the government should focus on the roads in Srinagar city, other districts and villages so that the promises of better road connectivity will be fulfilled on the ground. There is a need to pass strict directions to the divisional administration, especially the concerned department to macadamize each and every road this year so that the sufferings of the commuters are put to an end.
Time not ripe for summer break
Amid the persistent wet spell in Jammu and Kashmir for the past over some weeks, the weather conditions have changed...