Umaisar Gull Ganie
Qazigund, Oct 24: The residents of Qazigund area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district have expressed serious concerns over the deteriorating condition of the 4.2-kilometer Qazigund bypass road, which leads to the Nayvug tunnel from Watihal-Wangund via Check-I-Budwani.
As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), this essential route is currently in a state of disrepair, and locals are demanding urgent repairs.
The 4.2-kilometer stretch, intended to have a width of 24-30 meters, connects Watihal, Check-I-Budwani village with Wangund, providing a bypass to the Main Market in Qazigund. Residents of the Check-I-Budwani hamlet have lamented the poor condition of the road, which has been deteriorating for several years.
“The condition of the road is so dire that it is virtually impassable for both pedestrians and vehicles. This road plays a crucial role during the fruit season and serves as a vital route for heavy vehicles, helping alleviate traffic congestion in the Qazigund area,” locals told KNO.
They said that the current state of the road has led to frequent accidents and difficulties in reaching the hospital during emergencies. They said although a visit by the Deputy Commissioner of Kulgam, Anantnag, and the subsequent attention to the bypass road occurred a few months ago, no significant improvements have been made since that time.
The residents appealed to higher authorities to address this issue promptly and initiate the necessary repairs. Executive Engineer R&B Division Qazigund, Ishtiaq Hussain, told KNO that the tender for the road has been floated, and work is expected to commence soon—(KNO)
