Lack of labourers, dipping mercury: Road macadamisation badly hit, 40% target undone

Srinagar, Oct 7: At least 40 percent of the yearly road macdamisation target in Kashmir has been left undone by the absence of non-local labourers and the recent dip in temperature thus ending all chances of any further work this season.

The concerned government officials claim that they have completed macadamisation of 600 kilometres only against a set a target of 1000 kilometres for 2019-20.

However, even these official figures are debatable considering the state of roads in Srinagar, the capital city. With huge potholes and entire tar patches peeled off, the roads are in a pathetic condition.

On top of that, sources said that no more macdamisation work is possible until April 2020 considering that the mercury has already slipped below 25 degree Celsius, the minimum temperature needed for the work to continue.

The target was under-achieved as developmental works have been halted since August 5 when government of India abrogated Article 370 and divided the state into two union territories.

Days before that the government had asked the tourists and outsiders to leave Kashmir triggering a mass exodus of the non-local labourers, who formed the bulk of the workforce in development works in the valley.

Besides, since August 5, Kashmir has been witnessing a clampdown. 

An official of Roads and Buildings Department said semi they could not achieve the target of 1000 km due to the prevailing situation as no labourer was available in the valley.

Most of the works of PMGSY, Economic Reconstruction Agency, Roads and Buildings Department, cement factories, brick kilns, are largely dependent on non-local skilled labourers.

Chief engineer, Roads and Building Department, Kashmir Sami Arif said: “We have completed around 60% of the target and the work on remaining 40 % of 600 kilometres will be restarted if there is rise in the temperature.” 

The Kashmir has a limited working season from April to October and the region’s developmental activities are worst affected when there is some disturbance in the Valley.