Kakapora residents demand resumption of work on Waqf Board shopping complex
Pulwama: The Residents of Kakapora in Pulwama district have expressed disappointment over the prolonged delay in the construction of a proposed shopping complex at the shrine premises of Hazrat Mehda Baba Rishi, a project that was expected to bring much-needed employment opportunities to the area.
The foundation stone of the commercial complex was laid in 2024 by the Chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board, Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi, at the revered site in Kakapora.
The initiative was welcomed by locals as a step toward boosting the local economy and addressing the rising unemployment among youth in Kakapora and its surrounding villages, locals said.
However, more than two years after the ceremonial launch, no construction activity has begun, triggering disillusionment among the residents.
Locals say they have repeatedly visited the site hoping to see progress, but the area remains unchanged, with no signs of machinery, labor, or building materials being put to use.
“This project was a ray of hope for our unemployed youth,” said a local resident. “If work had started on time, it would have created jobs during construction and later through shops and business spaces. But like many projects, it seems stuck at the announcement stage.”
The people of Kakapora stressed that unemployment has become a serious challenge in the region, forcing many young men to migrate in search of work or remain idle due to lack of opportunities. They believe that the shopping complex could have become a hub of economic activity, benefiting dozens of families directly and many more indirectly.
Expressing disappointment over the delay, residents urged Dr. Andrabi to personally intervene and direct the concerned authorities to begin construction without further postponement. They emphasized that public trust in development initiatives weakens when projects fail to move beyond foundation-laying ceremonies.
“If completed on time, this complex can significantly improve the economic condition of the area,” another resident said. “We hope the Waqf Board will take public demand seriously and turn this long-pending promise into reality.”
The shrine, known locally as Hazrat Mehda Baba Rishi Shrine, holds spiritual as well as social importance in the region.
Locals believe that development around the shrine, when done responsibly, can uplift the entire locality.
Residents await concrete action, hoping that the long-delayed project will soon move from paper to the ground — bringing employment, growth, and renewed confidence in public development efforts.
