Abdul Basit
Bandipora, 11 March: A contractor has allegedly obstructed road access connecting a pedestrian walk to Main Market Bandipora without authorization while local administration acts as a mute spectator.
Months ago, a Multilevel car parking was assigned to the contractor by Municipal Committee Bandipora, who has now stored construction materials on the road and blocked it with tin sheets to safeguard his materials. This obstruction not only inconveniences pedestrians but also adversely affects the livelihoods of numerous vendors.
People have raised questions about how he is allowed to use such a large space of MCB, when vendors pay rent for a small space in the market.
Civil Society Bandipora have expressed concern over such acts of contractor and concerned department, blocking road of pedestrian is unacceptable,
They also said that it is injustice with poor vendors who pay rent to municipality and contractors get free space which also effects people, civil society Bandipora assured removal of encouragement and material
Abdullah Paswal, a social activist, expressed disappointment over blocking of road, says that people have to walk almost a 1.5 trough nowpora chowk to reach destination, because of closures of road, contracts should hire some space and pay rent instead of blocking of road.
People from far-off villages such as Aathwatoo, Kudara Surindar, Chuntimullah, Pazalpora, Guroora, Aragam, Quil Aloosa, Sumlar, and Arin Dardpora have to carry their belongings on their shoulders to reach a Sumo stand. Alternatively, they have to pay almost 100 rupees more to a passenger auto to transport their belongings to the Sumo Stand, even though the fare from Bandipora to their homes is just 30-40 rupees, Abdullah Said.
People of Bandipora have requested DC Bandipora to remove the encroachment on road and intervene the case of how a contractor is allowed to store material on public property.
R&B office said that “It is just to prevent any work related injuries to general public. Respected public is requested to cooperate.
Any inconvenience is highly regretted as the construction of Multilevel car parking is underway near Gulshan chowk Bandipora",
While speaking with the Executive Officer of Municipality Aijaz Ahmad Khan, he stated, 'We have allowed them to store materials there as contractors need to execute work. What else should they do?' However, when asked, the concerned officers did not present any official order or rental agreement.
