Gohlad road in shambles, authorities in slumber

Badly damaged Mendhar-Gohlad road awaits repair work. —Excelsior/Rahi Kapoor
Badly damaged Mendhar-Gohlad road awaits repair work. —Excelsior/Rahi Kapoor

Excelsior Correspondent

MENDHAR, July 7: The road leading to Gohlad from Dak Bunglow, Mendhar in district Poonch has been in a bad condition for the last several years.
There are more than hundred houses in this village, but it is unfortunate that the condition of the road from Dak Bungalow, Mendhar to Gohlad is lying in very bad shape. This road, apart from Gohlad, further connects many adjoining villages and hamlets. But due to worst condition of this road the people of this entire area are badly suffering.
Locals of the area alleged that this road to Gohlad village has been lying unattended by the PWD authorities for the last several years. The Panchayat members took up the issue regarding maintenance of this road with the PW(R&B) authorities several times but till date no one has paid attention to this road.
A local resident of the village told Excelsior that they even met Executive Engineer PWD at Poonch and made aware him about the issue, requesting repair of the road at the earliest but he did not pay much attention claiming that they had scarcity of funds. He said this road has virtually become a `death trap’ for the local public. Due to deteriorating condition of the road, several accidents take place on it and people driving their vehicles on it, are facing a nightmarish experience, he added.
Meanwhile, JKBADC chairman and former VC, Dr Shazad Malik has appealed to the Lt Governor, J&K UT, Manoj Sinha and District Administration Poonch to issue directions to the concerned authorities for immediate repair of this road.