Jahangir Lolabi
Kupwara: (GNS) The residents of Putshahi and Gujjarpati hamlets of Lolab area of north Kashmir’s frontier district are up in arms against the R & B Department for “leaving midway the road construction work” started by it four years ago.
“The Roads and Buildings Department (R&B) started work on the Kantpora to Gujjarpati road stretch four years ago. However, soon after the construction of some portion, they left the work midway and never returned,” locals told GNS.
The Panch of the area Ghulam Nabi Bajad said the people have to face a lot of hardships in the absence of proper road connectivity.
“The work on the road-stretch was taken up four years ago. Even the macadam was laid from Ahanger Mohalla up to Shiekh Mohalla. But unfortunately, they left the work midway,” he told GNS.
The locals slammed the department for its “callous approach” saying the patients, women and old people have to face a lot of hardships.
“Whenever anyone among us falls ill, he/she has to be taken on shoulders to reach the main road,” a local, Ali Mohammad, said.
Another local while displaying a copy of the tender issued for the road said “a tender stands executed for the road stretch; however, except for earth cutting nothing significant work was done on it”.
The Panch further said that despite bringing the issue to the notice of the concerned department several times, “no one ever listened or responded to us”.
“We urge the Lieutenant Governor Sahib and DC Kupwara Sahib and the concerned department to alleviate our sufferings by completing the work on the road,” he said.
Sarpanch of Putushahi Halqa-B, Ali Mohammad Bajad echoed similar concerns.
“Despite approaching the R&B Department several times, the officials there showed no interest in redressing the issue,” he alleged.
He said due to the mountainous terrain, the residents have to face a lot of hardships especially during winters. “The issue of road connectivity is hampering us to earn livelihood as our area is not well-connected to allow hassle free passage of vehicles in and outside,” he said.
The Sarpanch urged the Lieutenant Governor-led administration and DC Kupwara Anshul Gargh to look into the issue. (GNS)
