Excelsior Correspondent
RAMBAN, Aug 28: Former legislature of Ramban Ashok Kumar has strongly urged to the Union Ministry of Road and Transport to direct the concerned authorities of National Highway-44 and Gammon Company to immediately restore the NH-44 which has been closed for last 5 days due to landslides at several places between Nashri and Banihal.
Ashok said it is very unfortunate that militarily strategic and commercially significant NH-44 has been closed for last 5 days due to landslides at several places such as Dalwas, Mehar, Cafeteria Morh, Marog, Digdol, Ramsu and Panthyal and other places, triggered by unscientific cutting of slopes in the process of construction of NH-44 four lane project in the past and now accelerated by incessant precipitation from last few days.
It has become a new normal from last 5 to 6 years as everyday there are landslides at one or another place. In a statement issued here, he questioned the Union Ministry of Road Authority and Transport as to who is responsible and accountable for these man-made landslides as it has become a menace for the locals and people belonging to both Kashmir and Jammu people.
Ashok said that due to this menace several people have died and many families have become homeless in its periphery from Nashri to Banihal while as district administration of Ramban is dealing the issue with casual approach, particularly in case of rehabilitation of the affected people. He stressed upon the Government to take immediate steps for providing justice to the affected families.
The former legislator strongly urged to the Union Ministry of Road and Transport to take some concrete solutions and measures immediately to restrict and control day to day landslides on NH-44 from Udhampur to Banihal stretch. He also demanded that some experts such as geologist, geographers, engineering experts and experts in forestry and environment should be involved in this process.
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