Shahoora residents demand urgent widening of Astanpora–Chakoora road
Pulwama: The residents of Shahoora tehsil in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have urged authorities to expedite the long-pending widening and upgradation of the 1.7-kilometre Astanpora–Chakoora road.
Locals from the area said that despite its vital role as part of the main inter-district Tahab–Chakoora–Naina road, the stretch remains narrow and in a deteriorated state, posing serious risks to commuters, schoolchildren, and emergency vehicles.
Locals, under the banner of the Village Development Forum Chakoora (VDFC), expressed growing frustration over the lack of basic road infrastructure amid increasing population and vehicular traffic in the area.
They said daily traffic congestion and frequent accidents have become routine, making daily commuting a struggle.
“Despite being an essential route for thousands of people, the road has remained neglected. Accidents and daily traffic jams have become a routine issue,” said a member of the VDFC.
Significantly, residents recalled that last year, officials had assured them that the road’s widening had been proposed under the NABARD Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). However, they expressed disappointment that the project has not moved beyond the proposal stage.
“We had high hopes when we heard about the NABARD RIDF proposal, but the silence since then has left the community disheartened,” said Shahid Shafi Rather, a youth activist and scholar from Chakoora. “We are once again requesting the administration to take concrete steps.”
The Astanpora–Chakoora road is not only crucial for day-to-day travel but also plays a key role in ensuring access to agriculture fields, healthcare centres, and markets. Its current condition hampers essential services and affects the socio-economic fabric of the area.
Locals have now appealed to the District Administration Pulwama, the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department, and NABARD authorities to prioritize this project under any available scheme in the ongoing financial year (2025–26).
They emphasized that immediate action would not only improve road safety but also enhance rural connectivity and foster local development.
