Locals demand immediate macadamisation of Sangam–Litter road
Pulwama: The dilapidated condition of the Sangam–Litter road in Pulwama district continues to trouble commuters, with locals expressing anger over the government’s failure to fully macadamise the vital stretch despite repeated demands.
Residents said that while patchwork has been carried out from Pulwama to Litter, the crucial Litter–Sangam stretch remains in shambles for unknown reasons. They alleged that the road, which serves as a lifeline for thousands of commuters and also connects the Lassipora Industrial area with the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway, has been left unattended for years.
“The road from Litter to Sangam is in pathetic condition. Whenever it rains for even a few minutes, the entire stretch gets waterlogged, making it difficult for pedestrians to walk and vehicles to ply,” said Abbas Ahmad Mir, a resident of Naina area.
He added that in many places, the road surface looks as if it has never been macadamised. “We fail to understand why the authorities are ignoring such an important road,” he said.
Commuters said that the pothole-ridden road increases travel time, leads to frequent traffic jams, and has become a major cause of accidents. “Every day we lose valuable time stuck in traffic, especially during peak hours. The condition of this road has only worsened over the years,” said locals.
Local drivers complained of frequent damage to their vehicles. Subzar Ahmad, a driver, said: “Our expenditure on repairs has increased due to the pathetic condition of this road. It is shocking that despite its importance for the Lassipora Industrial Estate, authorities are only doing patchwork instead of proper macadamisation.”
Residents said that patching works carried out every year hardly last a few days and instead create more problems.
They recalled that the road was fully macadamised around five to six years ago but has been neglected since then.
Appealing for urgent intervention, locals urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, CM Omar Abdullah, and Deputy Commissioner Pulwama to direct the concerned department to ensure full macadamisation of the Sangam–Lassipora road this year.
“This road is a lifeline for the area and must not be ignored any longer,” the locals said.