Historic Old Town Baramulla facing developmental issues, people suffer
Danish Tariq
The historic Old Town of Baramulla is facing serious development issues, in 2015 the then Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah had approved the proposal for decongestion of the Old Town and construction and widening of the roads. The public representatives projected their demands/grievances with regard to the installation of the street lights, upgradation of the lanes and construction of the drains.
Manzoor Ahmad Marazi, local resident said that Many times officials of district administration had carried out survey to identify the development works of town “the development works are going on in the town but with snail pace which will take decades to complete them,” administration should take necessary step to complete these development works so that they can be completed as soon as possible.
Imtiyaz Ahmad, local shopkeeper said, drainage system of the town has made our life hell “ the drains are so narrow which resulted in them being always blocked, the wastage comes out from houses in tons everyday due to which the drains are getting blocked and create flood like situations in lanes and by lanes of the town,” he added the street lights of the whole town are defunct which should be made functional as earlier.
Masarat War, college student said, as the lanes and by lanes of the almost of whole town are damaged “the tiles and concrete of lanes are damaged due to which these lanes are not able to walk people suffer a lot due to these damaged lanes which can be dangerous for people any time tragedy can happen,” she added for senior citizens it’s extremely dangerous if they have to go out we have to accompany them as always.
Mohammad Sultan, local resident said that the roads of the old town are in same form when they are constructed “ there is a dire need widening of roads in the town as these narrow roads has created havoc among the residents because all the vehicles wether commercial or private ply on these roads which can be prove dangerous sometimes, as there is always threat of accident to be happened,” he added because the congestion in the town the roads are not widened yet if the house holders would be compensated than the road widening is possible.
We appeal to the Jammu and Kashmir government and Deputy Commissioner Baramulla to seek intervention into the development works of Historic Old Town Baramulla so that it would not loose it’s charm, said group of local residents.
When tried to contact Deputy Commissioner Baramulla the officer was not available to receive the call of this reporter.
