Sopore, Jul 11 (KNO): Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Sopore Irshad Rasool Kar on Saturday said decongesting Sopore town remains one of his top priorities, while assuring that the long-awaited vital Mazbug Bridge will be thrown open to the public within the current financial year.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Kar said the government is working on improving road connectivity across the constituency, with special focus on strengthening the road link to the Sopore Fruit Mandi to support the horticulture sector.
"Decongestion of Sopore is among our priorities. Better road connectivity, especially to the Fruit Mandi, will provide a major boost to horticulture," he said.
The MLA said the Mazbug Bridge project is progressing steadily and is expected to be completed during the present financial year. He added that most development works across the constituency are on schedule.
"Departments are making efforts, and the timelines of most projects are on track. The Gogjidaji and Seer footbridges are pending, but the concerned departments will also take up those works," he said.
The National Conference (NC) leader said beautification and road improvement works are being carried out with the available resources, while urging people to remain patient as connectivity improves.
On the recurring water scarcity in Sopore, Kar acknowledged the inconvenience faced by residents and attributed the crisis to temporary disruption of some water supply schemes, pipeline ruptures and increased demand from the agriculture and horticulture sectors.
"All major water supply projects will be taken up over the next couple of years. Once completed, they will provide a lasting solution to the problem," he said.
Defending the ongoing AMRUT water supply project, the MLA said such infrastructure initiatives often face criticism initially but prove beneficial over time. "If projects like AMRUT had been implemented 15 to 20 years ago, Sopore would not have been facing the present water scarcity," he said.
On the proposed widening of the Sopore, Sangrama and Sopore, Sagipora roads, Kar said he has already taken up the matter with the concerned minister.
He said the Gulf crisis had affected the pace of the works but maintained that the issue remains under active consideration.
"I have raised the matter with the minister. The Gulf crisis disrupted the works, but efforts are continuing. If the works continue to stall, the law will take its own course," Kar said—(KNO)