Budgam, Aug 22: The residents and students of the Khomeni Chowk area in Central Kashmir's Budgam district took to the streets on Tuesday to stage a protest demonstration, demanding the urgent macadamisation of the Khomeni Chowk-Bemina Road. This road, falling under the city road division Srinagar, has been a cause of concern for the locals due to its deteriorating condition.
The protest saw a large gathering of residents in the main chowk, where they voiced their concerns through powerful slogans. A female student from the Khomeni Chowk area highlighted that the ward is under the jurisdiction of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation.
She explained that a few years ago, a drainage project initiated by the government had unintended consequences on the road's condition, leading to the emergence of extensive potholes. This deterioration has been a major inconvenience for daily commuters, particularly the local residents.
One of the protesting residents emphasized that the Khomeni Chowk-Budgam Road holds substantial significance as it serves as a vital route in the Budgam district. The road witnesses’ heavy traffic, with numerous tippers and trucks using it on a daily basis. Expressing frustration, he questioned why this road had not yet been included in the government's road macadamisation projects that have been taking place in both urban and rural areas of the Kashmir valley.
The concerned resident went on to describe the myriad of challenges posed by the road, especially during the contrasting summer and winter seasons. In the summer months, the road is enveloped in dust, while in winter, the combined effects of snowfall and rainfall result in muddy conditions, leading to further inconvenience for the general public.
The protest seeks to draw attention to the pressing need for action on the Khomeni Chowk-Bemina Road, calling on the authorities to prioritize its macadamisation and thereby improve the lives of the residents who rely on it for their daily commutes and activities.
An official from the city roads division Srinagar has assured that the macadamisation work of the Khomeni Chowk will commence very soon.