Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Aug 9: The residents of Hurcheck and Check Dargam village in Pattan area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district have accused the government of failing to construct a bridge on a local stream known as Gundari Nalla for the last 40 years.
With the population of 1300 people, most of the people in these villages are living below the poverty line and they are facing hardships because of an alleged Government’s negligence and official apathy. “In 2019, a 4-year-old girl died while crossing the stream. After this incident, former Deputy Commissioner, G N Itoo, assured villagers of the construction of two bridges on two sides of the village, but nothing has been done so far,” Ghulam Mohammad, a local said.
Check Dargam village is between two streams and has no connecting bridge. “We are forced to shift patients on shoulders to health centre in Nihalpora or in Wanigam due to lack of connectivity,” Abdul Rasheed, another local, said.
He added that they have no direct road to reach Tehsil headquarter in Pattan. “We have to cross a Nallah from both sides and have to go to another village by foot,” he said.
A Dargam Youth Committee Secretary, Mehnawaz Ashraf Parray, told Excelsior that the committee has visited these villages and forwarded their demands and issues to concerned officials. “In absence of connectivity, the education system is in doldrums, and it gravely violates child rights,” he said. He added Education is important for the development of society and these villages are unconnected and education and development is suffering.
Officials privy to the details informed that on 29/08/ 2013, the Chief Engineer of R&B submitted a written application to Commissioner Secretary R&B for the approval of funds under letter-number CER/BK/ HD/1502-13 dated 29 August 2013 for the construction of bridges, but nothing has been done so far.
He added in June 2016, the Superintendent Engineer of Baramulla wrote again to Chief Engineer for administrative approval for the construction of 30 meters trussed Grinder Bridge at Hurcheck village under letter no 3410 dated 12/06/2016. “But they paid no heed to this application,” he said.
Chief Engineer Roads and Buildings Showkat Jeelani told Excelsior that before issuing administrative approval, they have to ensure funds for the project. “I hope the Government sanctions funds for the project this year,” he said.
The residents said that the politicians remember them during elections and nothing is done to ease the sufferings of people. “We request and appeal LG Manoj Sinha to look into this matter and give due attention to the demands and issues of these two villages,” the elders said.
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