MLA Baramulla serves legal notice to BEACON over ‘death trap’ Delina–Khanpora road stretch

Alleging prolonged inaction and repeated failure by BEACON authorities to address the deteriorating condition of the Srinagar–Baramulla National Highway stretch from Delina to Khanpora, Baramulla MLA Javid Hassan Beigh has issued a formal legal notice, warning of legal action if immediate remedial measures are not taken.

The notice, addressed to the Chief Engineer of Project BEACON in Srinagar and the Officer Commanding, 53 RCC Mohra in Uri, accuses the agency of “gross delay” in execution of the ongoing works, including a flyover at Delina, and of neglecting the existing highway stretch between Delina and Khanpora.

According to the notice, the condition of the road has “severely deteriorated” due to lack of maintenance, poor drainage, and ongoing construction activity, effectively turning the stretch into a “death trap” for commuters.

The MLA said he was compelled to take legal recourse after repeated public grievances and representations failed to yield any tangible response from the authorities.

Highlighting the strategic and civilian importance of the highway, the notice states that the road serves as a vital link connecting Baramulla and Kupwara districts with the rest of the country and carries significant military movement.

It further points out that several schools, hospitals, government offices, and business establishments are located along the affected stretch, making the current situation “highly unsafe and hazardous.”

The legal notice also invokes provisions of Article 21 of the Constitution, asserting that the right to life includes access to safe and motorable roads. It refers to the Jammu and Kashmir Road Safety Policy, 2025, which mandates identification and rectification of accident-prone spots within a stipulated timeframe and calls for accountability against defaulting agencies.

Terming the Delina–Khanpora stretch a potential “black spot,” the MLA warned that continued neglect runs contrary to both government policy and Supreme Court guidelines on road safety.

In the notice, BEACON authorities have been asked to immediately restore and repair the road, ensure proper drainage, implement traffic management measures, and complete the ongoing project within a fixed and publicly disclosed timeline.

It also calls for strict action against erring contractors responsible for delays. The authorities have been directed to furnish a detailed action taken report within 15 days, failing which the MLA has warned of initiating appropriate legal proceedings, including a Public Interest Litigation before the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir.