Sopore: R&B Deptt accused of using substandard material for macadamizing the Watlab-Chetkak road

Locals demand inquiry; official says contractor responsible not department

Waris Fayaz

Sopore, Apr 10 (KNO): The locals of Botingoo village of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district have accused the Roads & Buildings (R&B) Department of using poor quality material for the road which was macadamized after 25 years. They have demanded an inquiry into the matter.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the locals alleged that the department macadamized some 10-kilometre stretch of Watlab-Chetkak road after 25 years but used substandard material due to which the road was damaged within a short span of time.

An inquiry must be initiated against the department and action must be taken against those involved for wasting public money, they said.

“Just a few months after the road was macadamized, it has developed cracks and potholes, which clearly indicated that poor quality material was used,” said Abdul Hameed Bhat, a local.

“We were happy that the work on this road was started after 25 years. However, we were surprised on seeing the road developing cracks and potholes just a few months after it was macadamized. It is obvious that substandard material was used in the construction,” Bhat added.

The locals have appealed to the district administration to order an inquiry to verify whether poor-quality material was used by the department.

Meanwhile, an official at the R&B Division Sopore told KNO that they will repair the road. He, however, said that if the substandard material is used, the contractor is responsible for that and not the department—(KNO)