Shopian, Nov 15: Residents of several villages in south Kashmir’s Shopian district have expressed concern over the narrow width of a vital road link, saying it causes considerable inconvenience to commuters and poses a risk of accidents, particularly during the apple transportation season.
The road stretch branching off from the Srinagar-Shopian road at Tunkroo and leading to Poshpora is too narrow to accommodate the growing volume of vehicular traffic, residents said.
According to locals, the road serves as an important link connecting Poshpora, Nazeenpora and several adjoining villages. However, its limited width makes the movement of vehicles difficult, especially when two vehicles approach from opposite directions.
Residents said the problem becomes more pronounced during the apple harvesting and transportation season, when a large number of fruit-laden trucks use the stretch to transport produce from the area.
“All these villages are apple-rich areas. Fruit-laden trucks ply along the stretch, and because of the narrowness of the road, there are chances of accidents,” said Suhail Ahmad, a resident.
He said the road witnesses considerable movement of vehicles, including trucks carrying apple consignments, but its existing width is inadequate to handle the traffic smoothly.
Locals said commuters often face difficulties while crossing vehicles on the stretch, leading to congestion and delays. The movement of heavy vehicles further compounds the problem, particularly at points where the road becomes narrower.
They said the road’s importance extends beyond providing connectivity to individual villages, as it also serves as a crucial route for transporting agricultural produce, which forms a major source of livelihood for people in the area.
Residents have called for widening of the road to facilitate smoother movement of vehicles and reduce the risk of accidents.
They said improving the stretch would not only ease the daily commute of villagers but also help ensure the safe and timely transportation of apples from the area.
The residents urged the concerned authorities to take note of the issue and initiate necessary measures to upgrade the road infrastructure, saying that a wider road would be particularly beneficial for the apple-growing belt.
