Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Apr 26: Intensifying his outreach in Udhampur East, senior BJP leader and MLA R S Pathania today mounted a sharp critique of governance in Jammu and Kashmir while highlighting pressing civic and safety concerns during an extensive tour of rural and semi-urban belts.
Covering Kuh, Ritti, Garnai, Battal Balian, Kashirah, Majalta and Dehma, Pathania interacted with residents, inspected developmental works and gathered feedback on issues affecting daily life. Water scarcity, sanitation deficiencies, poor road conditions and traffic mismanagement emerged as dominant concerns across the areas visited.
Addressing public meetings, Pathania said the people of J&K are looking for accountable governance and concrete outcomes, not political theatrics. While acknowledging that restoration of statehood is a legitimate aspiration, he alleged that the present dispensation was using the issue to divert attention from governance failures.
He emphasized the need for urgent preparedness ahead of the summer season, calling for uninterrupted drinking water supply, better tanker services in affected areas, timely maintenance of pumping systems and expansion of drainage and sewerage infrastructure.
Raising alarm over increasing road accidents in hilly terrains, Pathania called for a comprehensive and policy-driven road safety framework. He stressed the importance of identifying accident-prone locations, strengthening vulnerable road stretches, improving traffic regulation and enhancing enforcement by the concerned departments.
He further underlined the need for scientific road engineering measures such as proper signage, installation of crash barriers and regular safety audits, along with a robust emergency response system. Criticizing reactive approaches after accidents, he said such measures often inconvenience the public without addressing root causes.
Pathania reiterated that road safety must be approached through sustained planning involving engineering, enforcement, education and emergency care.
Reaffirming his commitment to grassroots issues, he said governance should remain focused on development, safety and public welfare. The tour witnessed active participation from locals, who voiced their concerns and called for timely redressal of civic and infrastructure challenges.
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