Jammu, 13 August (H.S.): The much-anticipated Rajouri-Surankote road project, which had raised high hopes among the people of the region, continues to draw public outrage due to delays, substandard work, and lack of quality checks.
Despite the completion deadline having long passed, a major portion of the work remains incomplete, leaving commuters to face daily hardships. Even the stretches that were completed have failed to meet basic quality standards.
Locals allege that substandard material was used in the construction, leading to the rapid deterioration of the blacktopped surface. Shockingly, sections of the road that were blacktopped just last year have already developed potholes, raising serious concerns about the monitoring and accountability of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
Residents from Fatehpur, Saim, and adjoining areas, frustrated by repeated inaction, took matters into their own hands today by carrying out repairs on the road at their own expense. They expressed anger that despite hundreds of crores being sanctioned for the project, no proper quality control or follow-up action has been taken.
“The public is suffering every day due to the deplorable road condition, yet our repeated requests have fallen on deaf ears,” said one of the residents.
“If the work was done properly from the start, we wouldn’t have to repair it ourselves,” he added.
The situation is further worsened by a choked drainage system along several stretches of the road, causing water- logging and additional damage to the surface.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar