Banderpora link road submerged after rains, residents demand drainage
Pulwama: The residents of Banderpora village in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district are facing immense difficulties due to persistent waterlogging on the main link road that connects the area to the national highway.
Following recent rainfall, the road was submerged, disrupting daily life and sparking renewed calls from villagers for urgent intervention.
Locals are demanding proper macadamisation of the road and construction of a drainage system to channel rainwater and prevent recurring waterlogging.
Javid Ahmad Wani, a resident, said the road has been in a dilapidated condition ever since the 2014 floods damaged it.
“The road was destroyed during the floods and has never been properly repaired. Every time it rains, the road turns into a water body, forcing us to wade through knee-deep water just to reach schools, the health centre, or even the local mosque,” he said.
He added that the situation becomes particularly challenging for children, the elderly, and the sick. “It’s shameful that in 2025, we’re still facing such basic issues,” he said.
Another local, Ghulam Nabi Wani, expressed frustration over the apathy of the administration.
“We’ve been raising this issue for years. I personally approached concerned authorities several times, but instead of taking any action, they every time ask me to submit a new application,” he said. “How many more applications do we need to file before they listen?”
The road is a vital route for the entire village, serving hundreds of people daily. With more rain forecast, locals fear that repeated waterlogging will continue to paralyse movement and disrupt access to essential services.
The residents have now appealed to the district administration for immediate intervention, urging them to treat the issue as a priority. “We’ve waited more than a decade. It’s high time our voice is heard,” they said.
