Baramulla,: As construction of a major flyover on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway at Delina progresses rapidly, the deteriorating road conditions around the site have caused immense distress to thousands of commuters and drivers.
Locals told news agency JKNS that the ongoing flyover construction at Sangrama is part of the four-lane Srinagar-Baramulla project, aimed at enhancing connectivity in north Kashmir. However, the highway—vital for multiple districts—is now riddled with massive potholes, leading to frequent traffic disruptions and vehicle damage.
“Thousands of vehicles, including private cars, public transport, and commercial trucks, travel on this route daily. However, the poor road conditions near the under-construction flyovers are causing serious concerns,” said Bhat Mudasir, a local resident.
A commuter, Manzoor Ahmad, said that driving on the highway has become an expensive ordeal. “Every time I take this route, I have to spend extra money on repairing my car. The potholes are too deep to avoid, and despite months of construction, nothing has been done to fix the road,” he said.
Another local, Mir Fayaz, expressed frustration over the lack of maintenance. “The authorities should ensure that roads remain usable during construction. Right now, it’s a nightmare for everyone,” he said.
Truck drivers, who depend on this highway for transporting goods, are also facing significant losses. “This is our main transport route, but the damaged road is making it both dangerous and costly to drive. Potholes are delaying deliveries and damaging our vehicles,” said a truck driver from Baramulla.
Residents are urging the administration to take immediate action. They believe that the agency responsible for the flyover construction should also be held accountable for maintaining the road during the ongoing work.
“The construction is essential for improving infrastructure, but authorities must also address the basic needs of commuters. Neglecting road maintenance during this phase is unacceptable,” the locals added. (JKNS)
