Pampore Ghat in ruins, locals accuse authorities of negligence

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, July 26: The residents of Dar Mohalla in South Kashmir’s Pampore complained that the Ghat on river Jhelum has been in a derelict condition for last many years and the local administration is paying no heed to restore and reconstruct it.
They also alleged that the Ghat has been encroached by some persons and nothing has been done to restore the age-old Ghat-locally known as Yarbal.
Mohammad Aslam, a local said that the municipality has started the work on this Ghat some time ago after the intervention of Mohalla committee, but has halted it due to some unknown reasons. “We have written numerous applications to the concerned officials to restore and reconstruct this age-old Ghat, but we have never got a positive response from them,” said.
Another local said that the area surrounding the Ghat has been turned into a dumping ground by some shopkeeper. “This Ghat-that was once thronged by women, children and men-has been turned into a dumping site by some miscreants. We have been appealing to the local authorities for years to look into our demands,” he said, adding that the authorities should remove the encroachments on the Ghat area and resume its restoration.
He appealed to the authorities to take strict action against the encroachers and against those who are defacing this Ghat site.
The residents told Excelsior that they have written several applications to the Tehsildar and Additional Deputy Commissioner Awantipora about this issue. “We have so far seen no action from authorities. This Ghat has been there for centuries and it has been in ruins for years due to the negligence of the administration. We appeal to the officials to come forward and restore and reconstruct this age-old Ghat for the benefit of locals,” they said.