Beerwah–Budgam road turns into commuters’ nightmare

Budgam, Aug 1: The Beerwah–Budgam road has deteriorated to such an extent that travelling on it has become a nightmare for thousands of daily commuters.
The locals said the road is riddled with large potholes, making it difficult for vehicles to move.
They said commuters, including pedestrians, motorists and students, are facing immense hardships due to its dilapidated condition.
Syed Farhat, a local resident, said, “The potholes are so deep that vehicles frequently suffer damage. Students often fail to reach their educational institutions on time, while daily commuters are forced to travel through dangerous conditions.”
He added that the situation becomes even worse during dry weather when thick clouds of dust engulf the road. “The dust is so intense that people can barely recognise one another, while prolonged exposure is causing health problems among commuters,” Farhat said.
Another local, Muzafar Ahmad, said the condition of the road is particularly distressing for patients, pregnant women and elderly citizens.
“During rainfall, the road turns into a muddy stretch, making it extremely slippery and increasing the risk of accidents. As soon as the weather clears, the mud dries up and turns into dust, creating another set of problems for commuters,” he said.
The residents also alleged that the presence of several brick kilns along the Beerwah–Budgam road contributes to the worsening condition, claiming that trucks, tippers transporting material and bricks often leave mud on the road.
They urged the district administration to issue strict directions to brick kiln owners and transporters to ensure that mud is not carried onto the road and to adopt measures that can help minimise the problem.
The locals appealed to the authorities to immediately undertake macadamisation, proper drainage and repair of the road besides regulating the movement of heavy vehicles, saying thousands of commuters continue to suffer every day due to official inaction. (KNO)