Abandoned community hall in Sopore in shambles

Sopore, Jul 1: The government-owned building intended for a community hall at Muslimpeer in Ward 15 of Sopore in north Kashmir, has remained an unfulfilled promise for the inhabitants as the building has been in shambles for the past eight years.
The project, part of the special area programmes – strategic schemes drawn up by the government to meet the basic needs of the people – was aimed at alleviating the space constraints faced by the locals. However, it has stood abandoned for years, turning into a hub of illegal activities and a safe haven for drug addicts, according to locals.
Residents, expressing their disappointment and anger, said that it is quite strange and disheartening to see how their requests and concerns are being ignored.
“The building is in shambles due to the sheer negligence of the authorities and the repeated assurances have been proved as hoaxes,” they said, adding, “We need to see action, not just words. It’s high time the authorities take concrete steps to finish this project and provide us with the facilities we need.”
Mohammed Shafi Changal, a social activist, said, “We were promised a facility that would serve as a vital community space, especially in such a congested area. But all we have now is an unfinished building that attracts anti-social elements.”
Shafi said the structure, with broken windows and doors, looked like a ghost house, left midway after spending lakhs of rupees. “Despite repeated appeals from the locals, the project has seen no significant development,” he said, calling for immediate action.
Another local said the community hall is crucial infrastructure and the project can’t be left in limbo. “Packs of dogs are seen in the abandoned structure with heaps of garbage,” she added, urging the authorities to prioritise this project and complete it without any delay.
Earlier, the Executive Engineer of the R&B Division Sopore said that the project had an estimated cost of Rs 100.88 lakh, but due to some pending amount, the project could not be completed.
Authorities have assured residents that the project is on their radar and will be taken up for completion. “We are currently in the process of re-evaluating the project and securing the necessary funds to expedite the work,” Additional Deputy Commissioner Sopore, SA Raina, said.
Raina said that following a crucial meeting regarding the project, it has now been handed over to the Municipal Council Sopore for the necessary measures to ensure the completion. “The community hall will see significant development soon and will facilitate the people,” the ADC assured. (KNO)