JAMMU, Jun 14: Renowned human rights activist Om Parkash Khajuria has expressed grave concern over the deteriorating condition of a recently constructed road stretch in Miran Sahib, alleging that the poor state of the road within months of its construction raises serious questions about the quality of work, utilization of public funds and accountability of the concerned authorities.
Addressing the media during a visit to the spot, Khajuria said that nearly ₹3.25 crore was reportedly sanctioned for the repair and improvement of an approximately 200-metre road span. However, despite the substantial expenditure incurred on the project, the road has already developed dangerous potholes and exposed iron rebars within six months to a year of its completion, making it a serious hazard for commuters.
He said the condition of the road is shocking and unacceptable, particularly when such a large amount of public money has allegedly been spent on its construction. “If crores of rupees can be sanctioned and spent on a small stretch of road, why has the department failed to undertake even basic maintenance to fill dangerous potholes that are putting human lives at risk every day?” he questioned.
Khajuria stated that the damaged stretch has become an accident-prone zone where near-miss incidents and road accidents are reportedly occurring on a regular basis. He said the potholes have become so deep and dangerous that motorists are forced to slow down abruptly, creating the risk of collisions and loss of control. The exposed iron reinforcements emerging from the damaged surface further compound the danger and reflect the alleged poor quality of construction.
The human rights activist pointed out that the road serves as an important link for local residents and is frequently used by public representatives, administrative officers and thousands of commuters travelling between various villages and urban centres. He questioned how such an alarming situation could continue despite the regular movement of elected representatives and senior officials through the area.
“Two elected MLAs, senior revenue officers, and other government functionaries frequently travel on this road. It is difficult to understand how the deteriorating condition of this stretch has escaped their attention. The plight of the people is visible to anyone passing through this route,” Khajuria remarked.
Expressing particular concern for the safety of school-going children, Khajuria said that e-rickshaws and other vehicles carrying students are among the worst affected. According to local residents, vehicles carrying children often struggle to negotiate the damaged surface, exposing young passengers to unnecessary risks. He warned that if immediate remedial measures are not taken, a major tragedy could occur at any time.
Khajuria further observed that the road had remained incomplete for a considerable period and was reportedly repaired only after sustained public pressure and repeated appeals through the media. However, the present condition of the road, he said, reflects either serious negligence in execution or a lack of effective monitoring and quality control mechanisms.
Drawing attention to the disparity between urban and rural development, Khajuria said that while significant emphasis is being placed on transforming Jammu into a Smart City, the condition of basic infrastructure in rural areas paints a completely different picture. He asserted that development cannot be meaningful unless it reaches villages and border areas where people continue to struggle for essential civic amenities.
“Residents of rural areas are equally entitled to safe roads, quality infrastructure and efficient public services. Development should not remain confined to cities alone. If we aspire to build smart cities, we must also build smart villages with durable infrastructure and accountable governance,” he said.
The activist also questioned whether sufficient oversight was exercised during the execution of the project and called for an independent technical assessment of the road. He demanded that the concerned authorities ascertain whether the work was carried out according to prescribed standards and specifications and whether public funds were utilized in a transparent and effective manner.
Khajuria urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the Public Works Department (PWD) to immediately inspect the road, undertake urgent repairs and fix the potholes on a war footing. He also called for accountability to be fixed on any official, engineer or contractor found responsible for negligence or substandard execution of work.
Stressing that safe roads are not merely a developmental issue but also a matter of public safety and human rights, Khajuria said citizens cannot be expected to risk their lives every day while travelling on roads built with taxpayers’ money. He appealed to the administration to act swiftly before another accident claims innocent lives.
“The people of rural Jammu deserve the same level of attention, safety and infrastructure that is being promised elsewhere. Public money must translate into public benefit, not public suffering,” Khajuria said, while urging the media to highlight the issue and help ensure that the voices of affected residents reach the concerned authorities.
He warned that continued neglect of the road could lead to a major tragedy and urged the administration to treat the matter with the urgency it deserves in the interest of public safety and good governance.