Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Aug 31: The people from Shahdara Sharief area and Thannamandi Sub Division of district Rajouri have strongly criticized the GREF authorities (BRO), for the total neglect of Rajouri-Thanna Road.
The prominent people of the area told the Excelsior that this 22 kms road stretch from Rajouri to Thannamandi which is also part of Mughal Road, has been facing criminal neglect on the part of BRO/ GREF authorities. There are no side drains along the road. The road surface has been broken at many places. Large potholes have been developed all over the road. But no repair work was initiated on this road since long.
Due to breakage of the road throughout, it has turned accident prone. Many private vehicle operators avoid to ply their vehicles on this road. The people of the area held protest demonstrations many times but neither the GREF authorities nor District Administration Rajouri bothers about the public plight.
President, Municipal Committee Thannamandi, Shakeel Mir disclosed that for the last about five years, the GREF authorities are claiming that this road will be upgraded in two phases but till today, no such survey was conducted or work started on it. Even the potholes/ broken road is not being repaired by filling good earth or gravel etc.
He said that the matter was brought to the notice of DC Rajouri and even the senior GREF officers at Rajouri some time back but they have not shown interest in this regard. Now, the people have decided to come out on the road and hold protest by blocking main road within next few days if the District Administration or GREF authorities Rajouri remained mute spectators. He demanded that this Road from Rajouri-Thanna-Dera Gali up to Bafliaz be upgraded as double lane specifications, being a part of Mughal Road.