Peerzada Ummer
Srinagar, Oct 08: The roads in the Chenab Valley have become increasingly hazardous, claiming lives and damaging infrastructure with each passing day. After the recent torrential rains and floods, the region’s fragile road network has suffered severe damage, while funds for restoration remain stuck awaiting government approval.
In the mountainous district of Doda, the condition of link roads has worsened dramatically.
Commuters, who spoke to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), describe travelling on these dilapidated routes as sheer torment.
Although the government has launched several road reconstruction projects under schemes like PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana) and R&B (Roads and Buildings Department), many stretches have been left incomplete after excavation. As a result, large rocks and debris continue to accumulate on these unfinished roads, making even light rainfall enough to block vehicular movement.
Residents told KNO that the roads were already in poor shape before the rains. Now, with contractors and departments abandoning work midway, the situation has turned alarming, they said.
The recent downpour has washed away entire patches of link roads, pushing them to the verge of collapse. Frequent landslides and rockfalls have become a daily occurrence along roads. In several areas, the ground beneath the roads has begun to slip, leaving cracks and deep fissures.
“The condition of the roads is miserable. Every time it rains, we get trapped. Vehicles can’t move, and landslides continue to block the road. It feels like we are cut off from the rest of the world,” said a resident from Thaki.
Even on dry days, danger looms large.
On Wednesday morning, a tragic accident occurred when a Bolero vehicle travelling from Bangla Bharat to Doda was hit by a falling rock near Baswal.
Witnesses said the boulder came crashing down from the hillside, crushing the vehicle. As locals rushed to rescue the injured, smaller rocks and soil began tumbling down, injuring several others. The continuous sliding of debris made the rescue operation perilous.
Officials confirm the crisis.
A senior PWD Officer told KNO that the recent rains have caused extensive damage to link roads, leaving them on the edge of destruction. “Our priority is to restore connectivity,” he said. “But we need funds for permanent repairs. A proposal has already been sent to higher authorities for approval, and we are awaiting their response. Once funds are sanctioned, restoration work will begin immediately.” (KNO)
