Srinagar, June 10, KNT: The road stretch near Rambagh Bridge in Srinagar has turned into a virtual death trap, riddled with deep potholes and broken surfaces that have made daily commuting a dangerous gamble for motorists, especially bikers. Despite being one of the busiest road links in the city, the stretch has been left in a state of utter neglect, raising serious concerns about the priorities of the administration.
For the past two years, commuters say the road has been crumbling under their wheels, with no meaningful intervention from the authorities. “It’s not just an inconvenience anymore, it’s a hazard,” said a visibly angry commuter at the site. The potholes are so deep and widespread that even cars struggle to navigate without risking damage to their suspensions, while bikers remain at constant risk of injury or worse.
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Muhammad Iqbal, a Natipora resident and daily commuter, shared a harrowing experience with the news agency Kashmir News Trust: “I was riding my bike at full speed during the early morning hours when traffic was light. Suddenly, the front wheel hit a pothole and the bike slipped. I broke my knee and arm. I was lucky to survive.” Iqbal is not alone, several similar accidents have been reported in recent months, particularly among two-wheeler riders, some of whom were left with serious fractures and long-term injuries.
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Locals question how a road so central to city traffic, which leads to Srinagar Airport, has been allowed to deteriorate to such an extent. They say that repeated complaints to authorities have gone unanswered, and routine patchwork, when done, barely lasts a few weeks before the stretch reverts to its hazardous state.
The situation not only threatens human lives but also highlights the sheer apathy of those responsible for road maintenance in Srinagar. With the stretch being used by thousands daily, including school vans, ambulances, and office-goers, the consequences of inaction could be disastrous. [KNT]
