Work going on at snail’s pace on Jawaharpora Lam-Soinad road, allege locals
Residents demand urgent acceleration, relocation of low-lying transformer
Pulwama: The residents of Jawaharpora Lam and Soinad in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have expressed strong resentment over the slow pace of construction work on a vital road being developed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), urging authorities to expedite the project without further delay.
The road, which is expected to significantly improve connectivity between the two areas, has been under construction for a prolonged period. However, locals allege that the work is progressing at a “snail’s pace,” causing inconvenience to commuters, students, and patients who rely on this route for daily movement.
“Despite repeated assurances from the concerned department, there has been no visible progress. The work moves very slowly, and sometimes there is no activity at all for days,” said a local resident from Jawaharpora. “This road is crucial for us, especially during emergencies, but its condition continues to remain poor due to the delay.”
Another resident from Soinad highlighted the difficulties faced by school-going children and elderly people. “Dust, uneven surfaces, and incomplete stretches make it extremely difficult to walk or travel. We fail to understand why the work is not being completed on time,” he said.
Apart from the slow progress, locals have also raised serious safety concerns regarding an electricity transformer installed dangerously close to the ground along the roadside in Soinad. They warned that the placement of the transformer poses a significant risk, particularly to children.
“The transformer is installed at a very low height, almost within reach. This is extremely dangerous, especially for minors who pass through this road daily,” said a concerned local. “Any unfortunate incident could happen if immediate steps are not taken to relocate it.”
Residents have appealed to the authorities to not only accelerate the pace of road construction but also ensure that all safety hazards are addressed promptly.
“We request the concerned departments to speed up the work and shift the transformer to a safer location. Development should not come at the cost of public safety,” another local added.
The locals have said that if their grievances are not addressed in a timely manner, they may be forced to stage protests to draw the attention of higher authorities.
