Excelsior Correspondent
03UDHAMPUR, Mar 2: Hundreds of people today staged a strong protest at Manwal Bus Stand against the poor condition of the Udhampur-Billawar road, demanding immediate repairs.
Senior leader Pawan Khajuria led the protest and raised concern over the dilapidated condition of the road, particularly the stretch falling in Udhampur East Assembly constituency.
Protesters blocked Dhar Road for some time and raised slogans against the administration and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
Khajuria said the road has developed large potholes at several places, making driving difficult and risky.
He added that two-wheeler riders face the maximum danger and accidents are frequently reported.
Locals alleged that several people have lost their lives due to road mishaps on this stretch.
Addressing the gathering, Khajuria termed the Udhampur-Billawar road as a lifeline for thousands of residents and warned that the agitation would be intensified if repair work is not started soon.
He said Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has taken up the matter at the PMO level and directed BRO officials to begin necessary repairs at the earliest. Khajuria thanked him for intervening in the issue.
Speakers at the protest, including Raj Kumar Buccha, Rajesh Sarpanch, Sandeep Gupta, Babu Ram, Master Govind Ram, Master Durga Dass, Makhan Lal, Raju Sarpanch, Balwant Rai, Somraj, Rakesh Gupta, and Bishan Dass said people feel unsafe while travelling on Dhar Road and expressed disappointment over the delay in repairs.
They alleged that despite daily movement of the local MLA on the same road, no concrete steps have been taken.
Tehsildar Majalta Kamini Choudhary, who reached the spot, assured the protesters that the matter would be taken up with higher authorities and necessary steps would be initiated soon. Following the assurance, the protest was called off.
Sarpanches Feroz Din, Mukand Sharma Keval Kumar, Raju, Sansar Singh, Gautam, Bodh Raj, Master Bodh Raj, Ashok Gupta, Master Govind Ram among others participated in the protest.
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