Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 25: Ashok Kumar, senior Congress leader and former legislator from Ramban has expressed serious concerns over the formation of heavy dust clouds on everyday basis from the last several years in Ramban and peripheral towns due to the ongoing construction process of four lane project on National Highway-44.
In a statement issued here, he said that the newly elected DDC members are in complete slumber. “Instead of criticizing the Government and administration in this regard, they are praising in handling of NH-44 Highway project and controlling air pollution in Ramban town,” he said and added that in such a pandemic, the air pollution was causing more threat to the people of Ramban.
While interacting with affected people, he strongly urged upon the Ministry of Road and Transport, Government of India and Lieutenant Governor of J&K to immediately constitute a new committee on risk and health assessment based on recent Environmental Impact Assessment and Sustainable Development Goals guidelines as the heavy dust or air pollution has been spreading across the mountainous region and may cause both acute and chronic health haphazard like nausea, nose irritation, eyes infections and it’s long term impact can cause respiratory dysfunctional, respiratory pulmonary disease, asthma and Cancer.
Ashok alleged that during the construction process of four lane project, the impromptu cutting of mountain slopes has triggered landslides and sinking of land at various spots between Nashri to Banihal and it seems that there was no Risk Impact Assessment at the beginning or in the process of designing the project by the concerned companies and authorities. As the result, he added, the daily commuters and passengers who travel on this stretch are risking their lives. “Several people have lost their valuable lives due to shooting of stones and debris. Government is absolutely non serious about the loss of economic, environmental and social cost in the process of four lane project,” he said.
Ashok further said that the most affected villages and towns are Dalwas, Peerah, Chanderkote, Karol, Maitra, Ramban, Seri, Digdol, Neera, Kenthi, Marog and Kundi.
Follow our WhatsApp channel