Raja Bilal
Srinagar: Life came to a standstill in Khag area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district after locals protested for hours over the snail-pace work by Roads and Buildings department into the completion of 12-kilometre long Aripanthan road.
Reports reaching GNS said that the local residents blocked main road at Khag, bringing the vehicular traffic to a grinding halt, which affected the work of schools and other departments in the area.
The locals while talking to GNS said that “the road project which was taken for work in 2017 is still incomplete and we are baffled by the indifferent attitude shown by Roads and Buildings department”.
The traffic was restored after intervention by SHO concerned who went to the spot alongwith Executive Engineer R&B, SDM Beerwah, Tehsildar Khag and SDPO Magam to pacify the protesters.
The officials assured the agitated people that the project will be completed soon.
When contacted Executive Engineer, R&B Asghar Wattali told GNS that “the work which the department started in 2017 is worth 30.3 Crs. “Although some work has been done but we are facing hindrance from some people demanding exorbitant rates for their land coming under the project”.
