Ajay Sharma
Sunderbani, October 4: An important Lehtar-Devak-Hatal road stretch in Makol village has deteriorated into a hazard amid persistent neglect by local authorities.
According to reports, the dilapidated condition of road, especially after rains have washed away a great portion of the road and it rendered imminent risks posed to daily commuters, including schoolchildren.
“The road, falling under the Sunderbani subdivision, Nowshera division, and Rajouri district, remains largely impassable despite being a key route for daytime and nighttime traffic,” said local residents, adding that only a slim 4 to 7-foot strip remains safe for passage, with vehicles veering perilously close to deep ditches on either side.
They maintained, “If a car strays even slightly, it will plunge straight into the ditch.” Locals emphasized that 20 to 25 vehicles, including school transport, traverse the route each morning.
Locals maintained that this problem has lingered for two and a half to three months, with no intervention from the PWD’s Sunderbani in-charge, despite the department’s mandate for maintenance.
They pointed to systemic failures within the PWD (R&B) Jammu and Kashmir, where chief engineers are overburdened, often holding multiple charges—some managing up to four regions simultaneously due to stalled promotions and staffing shortages.
“If the department itself is handicapped, how can it fulfil its duties?” he questioned, alleging that officers posted via recommendations prioritize personal interests over public safety, leading to delayed estimates and repairs under non-plan funding schemes where funds are reportedly available.
Residents said that any mishap could claim lives, with full responsibility falling on the PWD Sunderbani.
They urged Deputy Commissioner of Rajouri to intervene, demanding site visits, work estimates, and accountability to prevent tragedies.
Residents fear that without swift action, an accident is inevitable, underscoring the need for the Jammu and Kashmir government to address PWD’s chronic understaffing and oversight lapses in this hilly terrain where roads are lifelines.
