Jahangeer Ganaie
Pulwama, Sep 29: Local residents in this south Kashmir district have demanded immediate action to widen narrow spots on the vital Pulwama-Awantipora route to prevent traffic jams and accidents.
According to locals, the narrowness of the road at some points from Pulwama-Awantipora results in traffic jams. “The government must take urgent steps to widen this important road,” said Mudasir Ahmad, a social activist from Koil Pulwama.
He applauded the government’s efforts to maintain this vital road but insisted that several narrow spots needed to be widened.
Locals urge the government to pay particular attention to Koil village where the narrowness of the road has resulted in a number of accidents. In the past month, numerous accidents occurred at Koil, leaving one person dead and many others injured, they said.
The narrowness of this vital road connecting Awantipora, Tral, and other areas with the district headquarters has also resulted in traffic jams, they said while seeking urgent government intervention. Despite repeated appeals to higher authorities, locals complain that nothing has been done on the ground.
Residents are now requesting the government to pay serious attention to the matter and take immediate action to widen the road.
However, Executive Engineer R&B Division Pulwama Javid Ahmad said that there are currently no plans to widen the road, but it may be taken up in the near future. “The majority of the road now comes under the Awantipora division, and they need to confirm their position before any actions can be taken,” he said.