Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar, Nov 22 (KNS): Continuing its commitment to infrastructure development, the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory government has successfully macadamized the majority of the interior roads across the Kashmir valley in the past eight months.
This ambitious work of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and the Roads and Buildings Department (R&B) aimed at improving connectivity and accessibility has been hailed as a significant achievement by the LG government and has also garnered widespread appreciation from local residents.
According to government authorities, the comprehensive macadamization effort has not only upgraded existing roads but also included the construction of new ones, with a specific focus on connecting previously isolated areas.
This initiative is seen as a positive impact on the region's economic growth and the well-being of its residents.
Officials expressed satisfaction with the accomplishment, highlighting the government's unwavering dedication to the welfare of the people of Kashmir.
“The completion of road macadamization in the interiors is a great work and it reflects the government's unwavering dedication to improving the region's infrastructure. The project encompassed both the macadamization of existing roads and the construction of new ones, with a focus on connecting previously isolated areas,” said the officials.
Local residents have welcomed the development, noting the significant improvements in daily commutes, reduced travel time, and safer transportation, especially during adverse weather conditions.
Residents in Srinagar shared their appreciation, emphasizing the positive impact on their overall quality of life. Zahor Ahmad, a local resident of Bemina, stated, “The road macadamization has transformed our lives. We no longer have to struggle with poorly maintained roads. It's not just about convenience; it's about improving our overall quality of life,” he told KNS.
The Roads and Buildings Department in Kashmir has played a crucial role in achieving this milestone, macadamizing approximately 1600 kilometers of roads in the valley this year. Despite facing challenges posed by intermittent wet spells earlier in the year, the department's personnel demonstrated unwavering determination, successfully upgrading vital road links.
The road macadamization process for this year commenced in April, and the department was working diligently to meet its targets before the onset of the winter season when road repairs and macadamization become increasingly challenging.
An official from the R&B department emphasized the administration's prioritization of development projects, particularly the construction and macadamization of roads, to ensure seamless connectivity between villages and towns.
To maintain the highest quality standards, officials highlighted the implementation of a rigorous three-tier quality testing process, ensuring that the materials used by contractors meet the required standards for road macadamization.
Similarly Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has successfully achieved 60% of its target for macadamizing interior roads in the city, covering a total of 82 kilometers, within the current financial year.
Despite the late start in late August, the SMC officials said that they worked tirelessly around the clock to achieve the 60% target within the limited timeframe.
“It was a devolution program of a road transfer from R&B to SMC. It took some time and was taken up late. The program was taken up in late August this year. We had limited time for the execution of work, still, we were working 24x7 and achieved a 60% target this year,” the officials emphasized.(KNS)