People face water, power crisis in Poonch

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Jan 21: Contrary to the claims of GREF authorities and Administration, the main Jammu-Poonch highway ahead of BG and Jaran Wali Gali could not be cleared on the 4th consecutive day while people were facing severe drinking water, electricity and telecommunication problems.
There is no respite to the woes of the people of Poonch, Mandi, Surankote and Mendhar while no Minister from the ruling coalition or any top bureaucrat has bothered to visit the area to take stock of the situation. Dy Commissioner Poonch, A K Sahu and SP Shamsher Hussain paid visits to Mandi, Loran, Surankote and some other snow hit areas. It has been indicated that in view of extensive damage caused to the towers of 132 KV line and Grid Station Draba near Surankote, there was no possibility of restoration of power to the area in next two weeks.
Reports from Mendhar said that single road for movement of light vehicles has been opened via KG to Poonch but no goods carriers have moved towards Poonch. Even some trucks which were released for movement towards Surankote and Poonch from BG today after GREF claimed that road was through, these trucks also got trapped in the snow in Jaran Wali Gali. The movement of vehicles had to be stopped after these trucks got trapped. The road was not yet cleared for the free movement to Poonch. Some trapped light vehicles were cleared by the authorities on this route today.
Meanwhile, Col Sajan from Project Sampark (GREF) told the Excelsior that men and machinery has been deployed on Rajouri-BG-Poonch road and BG-Mendhar-KG-Poonch road. He claimed that road has been opened to traffic but it was slippery at several points. Col Sajan said that Chief Engineer Project Sampark, Mr Mehta was closely monitoring the restoration work in the region.
In Poonch, the people led by some PDP activists held protest demonstration against Government and Civil Administration. They alleged that Government has failed to reach out to the public and address their problems. They alleged that there was acute shortage of LPG, kerosene oil, other food items and fresh vegetables. Entire district has been plunged into darkness and people are unable to get water supply. There is no governance visible on ground and there is strong resentment among the masses. They lauded the role of Army units in the area for helping to the civilians and minimizing their woes.
DC Poonch said that extensive damage has been suffered by 132 KV line towers supplying power from Jammu to Daraba (Surankote) and to Chandak Grid Station. Several lines within the district have also been badly damaged due to snow fall. The PDD, PHE and R&B officers have been asked to restore services on war footing. Entire BSNL service has been collapsed. Lands line Mobile and internet service has been snapped and no efforts were visible from the concerned authoirities to restore the same in last three days. The PHE department has been asked to run the motors on generators to ensure water supply. Tanker service has also been enhanced.
Meanwhile, power supply has also been snapped in many areas of Bani and Duggan Blocks, Lohai–Malhar and Machedi area of Billawar, Dudu-Basantgarh area of Udhampur and Gool-Mahore area of Reasi besides many parts of Budhal in Rajouri after heavy snow-fall. The traffic on Doda-Bhaderwah, Ramnagar-Majori Basantgarh –Dudu and Thathri- Gandoh roads has also been restored.