MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The 3.5-kilometer Dudhnial-Ghori road project, valued at over Rs 12 crore, has remained incomplete for over five years due to alleged negligence by the Azad Kashmir Highways Department and contractors.
Despite the passage of time, the project has reached the brink of collapse, with contractors abandoning their work and disappearing after collecting payments.
According to the details, the contractors responsible for Phases II and III of the project have fled after collecting payments, leaving the work incomplete.
The Highways Department Sub-Division Sharda has failed to fulfill its responsibilities, allowing debris to remain on the road after snowfall.
As per the details, the construction season has passed without any work. A contractor named Asif Mustafai has disappeared after a small auction to collect the June bill, while the contractor who carried out the repairs has also disappeared after collecting a reasonable amount.
Due to the negligence of the Highways Department, the debris that fell on the Ghori road during snowfall has not been removed till now.
Residents of Dudhnial and Ghori have demanded immediate action from the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, threatening to protest against the Highways Department and government if their demands are not met.
The citizens have demanded that the road be constructed immediately, citing the road’s poor condition and the risks it poses to travelers.
They have also accused the Highways Department of protecting contractors rather than ensuring the project’s completion.
