Residents demand safe crossings amid NH expansion

Senior Cong leader Sumit Magotra during visit to Sial Salan area of Udhampur.
Senior Cong leader Sumit Magotra during visit to Sial Salan area of Udhampur.

Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Dec 17: In response to growing public grievances regarding the ongoing National Highway widening project, senior Congress leader Sumit Magotra visited the affected areas of Sial Salan and Thanda Badher.
Local residents highlighted the challenges they face due to lack of safe passage across the highway, which is putting their lives at risk. Magotra also walked to the neighborhood along the highway and found some points very dangerous posing threat to the lives of public.
Residents of the area expressed concerns that while the highway expansion work is progressing, there are no provisions for crossings to connect the residential areas on either side of the road. This forces people to dangerously cross the busy highway, which sees high-speed traffic, endangering lives.
A former Sarpanch of the area also briefed Magotra on the gravity of the problem, urging for a permanent solution. Magotra stated that the highway construction has caused significant disruption to the lives of locals, with many families now facing difficulties in managing their day-to-day activities. He noted that agricultural lands are on one side of the highway, while homes are on the other, forcing residents-particularly those carrying fodder for livestock-to take life-threatening risks while crossing the road.
Magotra further emphasized that the problem affects 200 families, whose children also face danger while commuting to school. The residents have collectively demanded the construction of either a foot overbridge or an underpass to ensure their safety.
Assuring the residents, Magotra stated, ” I will meet the Deputy Commissioner to address this critical issue and request the National Highway authorities to provide an immediate solution. It is crucial to prevent any major accidents and ensure the safety of the community.”