KISHTWAR, Jun 8: Residents of Bunjwah have voiced strong concern over the prolonged delay in the execution of culvert and Hume pipe works on the Historic Bunjwah Road from Kewa Pull to Patnazi being undertaken under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
According to locals, the construction work has remained stalled for more than a week, causing inconvenience to commuters and raising questions about the pace of project implementation. Residents alleged that despite repeated attempts to contact the concerned agencies and officials, no clear explanation has been provided regarding the reasons for the delay.
The issue has gained significance as concerns over the quality of construction work had previously been raised by local residents. They alleged that at several locations, Hume pipes were laid without proper surface preparation and without the construction of the required cement concrete bed to ensure stability and durability.
Residents said the matter was brought to the notice of the concerned Junior Engineer of PMGSY Division Kishtwar. Following the complaint, corrective measures were reportedly taken at one site where the previously laid pipes were removed and reinstalled after proper surfacing and concreting. However, locals claim that similar deficiencies continue to exist at other locations, including Noor, Jawalapur, Khar Morh and Zerwar Nallah.
Speaking on the issue, Choudhary Mohd Aslam said the Historic Bunjwah Road serves as a lifeline for thousands of residents and any unnecessary delay in developmental works directly affects the public.
He urged the authorities to ensure that all construction activities are carried out strictly according to approved specifications and quality standards. He also demanded a comprehensive inspection of all disputed sites, immediate resumption of the stalled work and its completion within a fixed timeframe.
Residents have appealed to the district administration and senior PMGSY authorities to intervene promptly, conduct a thorough review of the project and ensure transparency in its execution. They expressed hope that the road infrastructure works would be completed without further delay, benefiting thousands of people who depend on the vital road link for connectivity and daily travel.