Handwara: Residents of Handwara town in north Kashmir have strongly criticized the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department for carrying out macadamization works during heavy rainfall, alleging that the move has resulted in poor-quality roads and a waste of public money.
Locals told Kashmir News Trust that raod in Handwara were blacktopped despite incessant downpour. They said due to rainfall the macadamized road started developing cracks, raising serious questions about the quality and timing of the work.
“Nowhere have we seen macadamization being done in rains. This is nothing but a futile exercise aimed at completing formalities and filling the coffers of the contractor,” said one of the residents.
People alleged that such actions expose both the negligence of the department and the lack of accountability in monitoring road works. They demanded that higher authorities order a probe into the matter and take strict action against those responsible for the substandard work.
“This is taxpayers’ money being thrown into the drain. We demand that the concerned officials and contractor be held accountable,” another resident said.
The officials of the R&B Department were not immediately available for comments on the allegations. [KNT]
