Roads cry for repairs
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, January 10
The state government may claim of building a network of roads, but the already existing ones in this frontier town are in a deplorable condition.

What to talk of the condition of roads in rural areas, the roads here are in bad shape.

Whereas the roads from Salani Bridge to Panja Chowk, from Panja Chowk to Jawahar Nagar and beyond the northern end of the Advanced Landing ground (ALG) are looked after by the BRO, the roads from Panja Chowk to Northern end of ALG ground, Abdullah Bridge to Nagesh Bridge are looked after by the Public Works Department (PWD).

Residents allege that both the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the PWD have failed to maintain the roads. They say both agencies have not repaired the roads here for over one decade and have embezzled funds worth crores of rupees meant for their maintenance.

“Though the state government claims of building new roads, but roads need maintenance,” said Riyaz Ahmed, of ward No. 2 .

The BRO which maintains majority of the roads here in this border township has a different take on the issue. “We don't get much funds for maintenance of roads in the town. How can we repair the roads without funds from the government?” asked a BRO official on the condition of anonymity.

Deputy commissioner, Rajouri, Sheikh Rafiq Ahmed told The Tribune that the district administration had already started repair of many roads in the town. “We have started the repair work of the roads managed by the PWD. So far as roads looked after by the BRO are concerned, we have forwarded a proposal for the repair of the roads to the Centre and are awaiting funds,” the DC claimed.