BANDIPORA: Residents of the Hajin area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district have expressed strong resentment against the Roads and Buildings Department (R&B) for the delay in reconstructing the culvert at Bonikhan Hajin.
The locals said that the culvert, connecting Hajin to Sopore, was demolished two months ago to facilitate the construction of a new structure. However, even though materials were stored two months ago, the work has been progressing at a snail’s pace, they said.
Mehraj ud din, a local, said, We fail to understand why there is a delay in rebuilding this culvert, even though the material was stored two months ago by the contractor.”
He added that the contractor has not even completed ten percent of the work on this culvert, forcing locals to face the brunt as there is no alternate route for them. He urged authorities to expedite the work on this culvert so that people will not suffer in the upcoming agriculture and horticulture seasons.
Showkat Ahmad, another local, urged the authorities to expedite the construction work to prevent difficulties for residents and farmers. He asserted that the busy road had been closed for about two months due to the executing agency’s inordinate delay.
“We have to take another route to reach Vijpara, Shagund, Sopore from Hajin and even to orchards and agriculture fields as the delay in the reconstruction of a small culvert near Bonikhan Hajin has inconvenienced both farmers and transporters,” he said.
Officials, while speaking to Kashmir Reader, assured that they would expedite the work and ensure the culvert is completed before the end of this month. “If the weather remains fine, the work will be completed within 20 days,” they said.

GOWHAR MAQBOOL