Shoaib Pathan
Uri, December 02: The ongoing road building project in Choolan Uri, which is being supervised by the Beacon Department, has caused villagers to express grave worries about the calibre of the materials used to build concrete barriers and retaining walls.
Residents Ayaz Ahmad, Altaf Ahmad, Nazar Hussain, and Syed Hussain claim that inferior materials are being used, which could jeopardise the project’s longevity.
According to the villagers, Beacon has been carrying materials from the adjacent mountain over difficult terrain for construction.
Despite repeated complaints to the relevant officials, people claim their concerns were rejected with the argument that the materials had been laboratory-tested and cleared for usage.
According to a local contractor working in the project, “The materials we use are provided by Beacon, and as we operate under their directives, we cannot make any changes.
“Furthermore, locals claim that Beacon authorities justified their use of problematic materials by claiming that the mountain material is “laboratory tested and ready for use.”
However, people have expressed concern about the damage incurred by older walls in the region, blaming it on the use of low-quality materials in past constructions.
To add to their aggravation, locals report receiving discouraging reactions from officials when they raise these concerns.
“They advised us to take up the matter with the SDM or other senior authorities instead of providing solutions,” a resident said.
The impacted community has urged SDM Uri, MLA Uri, and Beacon’s Officer Commanding to address these concerns as soon as possible.
They are requesting an inspection of the construction materials and prompt action to guarantee that the project meets proper quality standards.
This problem has revived the debate about openness and accountability in public infrastructure projects.
Choolan Uri inhabitants emphasise the importance of long-lasting and safe construction procedures in order to avoid long-term consequences for the region.
