Early Times Report
Poonch Nov 1: The potholed and bumpy road in urban and the rural areas of Poonch district practically has exposed the tall claims of better road connectivity as claimed by the PWD Minister and the concerned department.
Alleging utter negligence by the department, locals rued that the blacktopping of roads, were started during the tenure of the then PWD minister and senior PDP leader Altaf Bukhari.
"The then PWD Minister directed the concern department to provide top quality roads in entire state with 75 mm specification, local said, adding, "on his directions, blacktopping work in Poonch city and other roads was started by PWD Poonch." "Though there were clear cut directions from the concerned ministry that blacktopping work should have a life time of at least 3 years else the concern department and contractors would be punished, they said while lamenting that alas, here in Poonch, just within one year blacktopping of roads, the quality work of PWD got exposed near Nakhawali road."
"A portion of road is damaged nd water from beneath the surface coming openly and it raise a question mark on the quality work of PWD." When the matter came to limelight, PWD officials immediately started a 'patch up work' just to save their skin. The similar is the condition of road stretch leading from District Police Line to Sukha Katha, local alleged, adding none is there to take care of. Locals have raised finger of suspicion towards the officials in PWD department including Junior Engineer (JE) concerned under whose supervision, the blacktopping work was carried out. Locals demanded action against the concerned official of the PWD Department Poonch as the work has proved only a burden on government exchequer. They also have sought action from the PWD Minister to intervene and take action against erring officials. |
