Bandipora, June 26 -- Suhail Rather

Despite rapid urban growth and a steady rise in vehicular traffic, not a single road in Bandipora district features proper right-of-way (RoR) markings - a critical urban planning tool to prevent encroachment and ensure safe, unobstructed travel.

Right-of-way markings, typically established with RoR poles or boundary indicators on both sides of the road, serve as a legal and physical reminder of public road limits. However, in Bandipora, the absence of such demarcation has led to unchecked encroachments, illegal structures, and narrowing of carriageways, putting the safety of commuters and pedestrians at serious risk.

Notably, even the vital Bandipora-Sumbal-Srinagar road - one of the district's key a...