Pedestrian Pathway Damaged, Tiles Stolen Overnight in Bandipora Village

Bandipora, Mar 15: A tiled pedestrian pathway constructed near the Ziyarat Shareef of Subhan Sahib in Gundpora village of Arin block in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district was allegedly damaged and its tiles removed overnight, prompting residents to demand an inquiry into the incident.

The pathway, around 100 feet in length, had been constructed a few months ago under the 14th Finance Commission (14FC) at an estimated cost of about Rs 80,000 to facilitate pedestrians visiting the shrine and nearby households.

Residents said the pathway was in working condition and was regularly used by people in the locality. However, they alleged that some individuals from the area damaged the structure during the night and removed the tiles.

They also claimed that the act was carried out after some people were reportedly told that fresh development funds would be sanctioned for the same location.

According to locals, Baramulla MP Er Rashid had recently approved Rs 2.50 lakh for work at the same site, and the Block Development Office (BDO) Arin along with the concerned Junior Engineer had prepared an estimate again, raising questions about how work could be proposed at the same location within months of the earlier project.

Residents questioned why an existing pathway in usable condition would be dismantled instead of utilising new funds for other areas lacking basic infrastructure.

“If funds have been sanctioned, they should be used for development in localities where such facilities do not exist,” a resident said, adding that damaging an existing public asset to repeat the same work raises concerns about the use of government funds.

Some locals also alleged that similar practices had occurred in other parts of the block where completed government works were allegedly damaged and re-executed to secure fresh funding. However, these claims could not be independently verified.

Residents have urged the district administration and the police to investigate the matter and ensure accountability.

Officials in the Rural Development Department said an inquiry would be initiated to ascertain how the pathway was damaged and whether there was any attempt to misuse public funds.

Block Development Officer (BDO) Arin Abdul Majeed said the pathway had been damaged by locals and described the incident as unfortunate.

“There was no government order to dismantle the pathway. It was relatively new and in good condition. We do not know why people damaged it overnight,” he said, adding that no new work would be approved for the same location.