Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Apr 15: Even though the funds worth lakhs are drawn on the name of `so called’ repair and maintenance every year, the Mendhar-Harni- Surankote road is facing official apathy.
This 21 kms road is under R&B but it has become a hen giving gold egg to some key officials of the department. Due to the total neglect by the concerned R&B authorities this road has virtually become a `Khud. Its black top surface has totally withered away. Even the concrete layer has also broken badly due to non-repair of this important road since long.
This road not only links Surankot and Mendhar towns but also provides connectivity to over 20,000 to 25,000 population existing in several villages and hamlets in Harni, Ari, Gursai and Phambra Nad area. Up to Jarhanwalli Gali from Mendhar it is 21 kms and from there ahead up to Surankote it is 7 kms which is under GREF authorities. So worst is the condition of this road that even the Sumo/ Taxi or mini-bus operators hesitate to ply on this road. The public is worst affected. The vehicles take three times more time to cover a distance of 21 kms than the normal.
Sources in the R&B disclosed that Rs 12 lakh was withdrawn during the last week of March 2016, on account of repair and maintenance work on this road by the concerned sub division but hardly any money was utilized out of this for the repair of the road. Similarly, during last five years more than Rs 50 lakhs was withdrawn but the condition of the road remained the same or even further deteriorated.
This is the same road for which the people of the area had resorted to stone pelting on the cavalcade of former R&B Minister, Altaf Bukhari when he refused to visit the area during a public meeting at Mendhar few months back. The people wanted that Minister should visit the area to see the road condition but the concerned R&B officials and local administration claimed that road was not safe and the Minister was not allowed to go.
Naib Sarpanch Sita Ram from Ari village said that for the last more than 5-6 years no repair work has been done on this road. There are no side drains and water flows on the road during rains. Large potholes and withered away upper surface has made this road a virtual Khud. The matter was brought to the notice of concerned AEE Imtiaz Ahmed Mir but he says there were no funds for the repair work. Another villager Nazakat Hussain from Harni area alleged that there is nexus of engineers and a few contractors and they only draw bills during March and engage labours hardly for a week during last fortnight of the March closing month for normal dressing work for face saving. He demanded that inquiry should be held regarding withdrawal of money on this road in last 10 years and funds actually used.
SE, R&B Rajouri-Poonch Circle AM Wani when contacted admitted that condition of the road was not good. He claimed that they had invited tenders for the back topping of this 21 kms road but there was no response. He said again tender have been called and it is hoped that some people may respond. He said as and when the tenders are finalized the road repair work would start.
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