Almost all the main and interior or roads in urban and rural areas are in dilapidated condition. Potholes, waterlogging have become a common sight on roads. The condition of the roads becoming pathetic with each passing day. Students, officer goers, or even the patients are not able to reach their destination in time. Furthermore, it also does extensive damage to vehicles. It has been seen that most road accidents are caused due to the poor condition of roads. Sometimes, a driver while driving any vehicle going straight may suddenly deviate to the left or the right to avoid any damage to the vehicle. That sudden action ultimately gives a lot of inconvenience to passengers mainly to those who have been suffering from any health problem.

While talking about the sustainability of roads in the context of Kashmir, their life span is short because of various reasons like prolonged harsh weather conditions, the long spell of rain showers, and its landscape. Apart from these reasons which are beyond our control, other reasons become the cause of bad road condition: These reasons must be realized and addressed only then we can expect the positive change.
Our Irresponsible attitude:
Our irresponsible attitude is also responsible for these damaged roads. We have seen people dredging the roads in the broad daylight, washing or parking their vehicles on a roadside, negligence of concerned departments not to take timely action against the violators, etc. If such acts will be restricted and timely actions will be initiated against the violators, we will witness a drastic change on the ground.
Delayed Renovation Work/ Insufficient Maintenance
Surveys show that adequately maintaining road infrastructure is essential to preserve and enhance the life span of any road. But a backlog of outstanding maintenance has caused irreversible deterioration of the road network. If insufficient maintenance is carried out, roads can need replacing or major repairs after just a few years. That deterioration spread across a road system very quickly results in soaring costs and a major financial impact on the economy and citizens.
Therefore, focusing on road maintenance will bring widespread benefits by not only preserving current assets but also lowering future costs for citizens, road users, taxpayers, and road owners. This would prevent these assets from depreciating, provided that time investment is carried out in time. With this in mind, the importance of maintenance needs to be recognized by decision-makers.
The Absence or Poor Drainage System:
The absence or improper drainage system on the sides of the roads causes rainwater to stagnate. Due to heavy rains, the roads become more pathetic than before because there is no proper drainage system. It should come as no surprise to find that a poor drainage system results in waterlogging and that it, in turn, results in damage to roads. Therefore, there is a need to ensure the proper planning before constructing a new road or to make renovation or macadamization of any road. It is the prime duty of the concerned department that a proper drainage system must be placed along with the roadside. No permission should be granted to any residential colony or any private, public, or government establishment unless they ensure a proper drainage system.
Limited Roads or Routes:
Putting the whole burden on one particular road or route having limited width also shortens the life span of a road. So to enhance the longevity of a road, there is a need to develop alternative roads/routes with separate multi-lining roads for smaller and bigger vehicular traffic.
Citizens pay their taxes on regular basis and deserve better road connectivity. Roads are of vital importance to make a nation grow and develop. Someone has rightly said, “ Roads are for Nation what arteries, veins are for human body” . Let take a pledge to make our roads good enough to walk, drive and play an active part in the development of roads

Email:---minamharoon123@gmail.com