Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 12: The authorities have failed in providing effective road connectivity for the last several decades to four villages in north Kashmir’s Pattan while the locals of these villages have now tired of running from pillar to post, from department to department to get the attention of the officials so as to ensure that their grievance is addressed.
The villages, which lack connectivity and are largely relying on a kaccha-13 feet road, include Dargam, Resraypora, Gohiwa and Check-e-Dargam. The road is between Dargam to Resraypora and Gohiwa connecting Check-e-Dargam.
The total population of these villages is more than 10,000 souls and the existing internal mud way is registered with the Revenue department as about 13 feet.
The residents said that on a daily basis the school children and patients are suffering because of the unavailability of a proper road.
“Presently we are not directly connected with Tehsil Headquarter, we always use a secondary road from Dargam village via Hyderbeigh to reach Tehsil headquarter Pattan, about 13 km, which consumes the time of people, especially the students as well as patients,” Manzoor Ahmad, one of the residents said.
He also said that annually they also suffer losses in agriculture and horticulture due to the non-availability of a proper road. “During the rainy season, especially during the winter season we can’t move even an inch because the condition deteriorates further,” he said.
The residents said that they have to carry the apple boxes on their shoulders due to the unavailability of motorable roads and that the politicians reach them during elections only to listen to their issues. “They have always given us hollow promises and in reality, nothing has changed on the ground,” the residents said.
Another resident, Ghulam Hassan said that a few years back a woman suffered a heart attack and died while she was being taken to the hospital. “Given the fact that we had to go from a different route, it took more time and by the time the patient reached the hospital, it was already too late; if we had a proper and directly connected route, we could have saved her,” he said.
The residents said that they have submitted several applications to the concerned officials, urging them to take the necessary action so that they have an effective and motorable road between the four villages. “Time and again we have submitted various applications in offices of former ministers of all political parties, even at the Civil Secretariat, but it is all in vain so far,” they said.
Concerning the bridge at Check-e-Dargam, the residents said that the works there were started, but due to unknown reasons, it is still incomplete. As per eyewitnesses, in a gap of more than 2 years, only 2 pillars have been constructed there. However, the R&B which is constructing the bridge said that the works are on the approach.
When the officials of R&B and PMGSY were contacted for their comments, there appeared to be total confusion over which department was meant to execute the work. R&B officials said these roads were under PMGSY and the PMGSY officials said that they are not incharge.
Concerned officials of PMGSY in north Kashmir told Excelsior that several works are going on and that they will have to look into it to know the status. “We will not be able to provide the exact details as of now, as far as I know, these roads are not covered under the PMGSY,” the concerned AEE said.
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