Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 25: Former MLA Ramban, Ashok Kumar has expressed concerns over the daily formation of heavy dust clouds from the last several years at Ramban and adjoining towns due to the ongoing four lane project on National Highway-44.
Kumar urged upon the Ministry of Road and Transport and J&K Lieutenant Governor to constitute a committee for Environmental Impact Assessment and Sustainable Development Goals for guidelines as heavy dust causing air pollution has disturbed the mountainous region and may cause health hazards.
The former MLA also said that the impromptu cutting of mountain slopes in the four lane project has further triggered landslides and sinking of land has taken place at various places between Nashri and Banihal and it seems that no risk impact assessment was done while designing the project.
“As a result, several people have lost their valuable lives due to shooting of stones and debris,” he maintained adding that the most affected villages and towns are Dalwas, Peerah, Chanderkote, Karol, Maitra, Ramban, Seri, Digdol, Neera, Kenthi, Marog and Kundi.
Kumar claimed that about two lakh people in the area are being affected by the dust everyday between Nashri and Banihal and thousands of daily passengers also face the same.
He asked the authorities about steps taken for treatment and remedies to the environment and added, if the company would have taken proper measure while designing the project it would not have to bear such cost.
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