GANDERBAL: The Border Road Organization’s (BRO) recently installed Solar Road Stud Lights worth lakhs of rupees were damaged by snow cutters during snow clearance on Srinagar-Leh highway at different places of Gund in Ganderbal district.
The Solar Road Stud Lights, designed to enhance road safety and visibility, especially during nighttime and in low-visibility conditions, were installed just a few months ago. The lights were part of the BRO’s efforts to improve road infrastructure and ensure the safety of commuters in the region.
However, the snow cutters used for clearing snow from the roads proved to be too powerful, damaging the lights beyond repair. The incident has not only resulted in a significant financial loss for the government treasury but also compromised road safety, leaving residents upset and outraged.
“It’s a huge waste of money and resources,” said a resident, expressing his frustration. “The lights were installed to ensure our safety, but they didn’t even last a few months. We demand that the authorities take immediate action to replace the damaged lights and ensure that such incidents do not happen in the future.”
Residents have raised questions about the decision to install solar lights in an area known to be snowbound, where snow cutters are frequently used. They are demanding that the authorities conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter and take necessary steps to prevent such incidents in the future.
Residents said that the area continues to experience snowfall, and the BRO and other agencies involved must work together to ensure that road safety measures are not compromised during snow clearance operations
Despite repeated call attempts, the concerned BRO officials could not be reached for comments.